PATHANAMTHITTA: The Devaswom Board said the police are imposing unnecessary restrictions at Sannidhanam and Pampa as part of the pilgrimage. The board blamed that the pilgrims are not even getting water due to blocking of vehicles at many places. Complaints were raised against the police in the review meeting held today in Pampa. The board demanded the police to arrange a separate line for children, elderly and the sick. The police and the board raised complaints against each other.

The board also criticized the services of KSRTC. The buses are overloaded with pilgrims. Old buses are used. The board also alleged that excess rate is charged.

Pathanamthitta Collector Divya S Iyer also came forward with a complaint against the parking contractors. The company contracted for parking at Nilakkal has not entrusted enough employees. Vehicles are stranded in traffic jam for nearly eight bours from Pathanamthitta to Nilakkal. There was a situation where the journey of devotees from other states had to be stopped.

Meantime, the police demanded that the limit of virtual queue booking should be reduced. The ADGP said the board can take over the control of the pathinettam padi. When it sparked a controversy, ADGP M R Ajith Kumar came forward and corrected saying that he said it as a joke.

Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan said more pilgrims have reached Sabarimala this time than the government expected. A separate queue will be arranged for children, women and the elderly. The help of the forest department will be sought for parking facility. The minister said in the review meeting that the Motor Vehicle Department will be asked to check the KSRTC buses.