KOCHI: The High Court directed that steps should be taken to ensure the safety of Sabarimala pilgrims and to facilitate their journey and visit. “More arrangements should be made at Sabarimala midway shelters (Edathavalams) under Devaswom boards. The board should cooperate and work along with the police and the Forest department to ensure safe pilgrimage avoiding congestion”, stated the High court division bench comprising of Justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajith Kumar. These matters will be considered again tomorrow.

The crowd and rush at Nilakkal, Pampa, Saranapatha and Sannidhanam should be controlled. Vehicle facility should be ensured. The arrangements at the midway shelters should be evaluated by officers led by Assistant Devaswom Commissioners and the drawbacks should be reported to the court.

The board informed that there will be ‘Annadhanam’ at all the 52 midway shelters under the Travancore Devaswom Board. The employees were instructed to have respectable behaviour to the pilgrims.