KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Saturday issued urgent guidelines to control crowding at Sabarimala. The division bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice PG Ajitkumar held a special sitting for this despite yesterday being a holiday.

On Friday, a problem occurred at Sannidhanam after devotees bypassed the queue. The queue was controlled by the police. The government explained that the chief coordinator of police at Sannidhanam has taken measures to prevent this from happening again.

80,000 - 90,000 people arrive at Sannidhanam daily. The virtual queue booking limit has been cut short to 80,000. Spot booking has crossed 20,000 in Pampa and Nilakkal. The police had demanded to stop the spot booking in Pampa. The government has sought time to file an affidavit clarifying the matter and measures to control crowding. The court then adjourned the matter to December 11.

High Court's directions

• Special commissioner must be present at Sannidhanam to control the crowd
• It should be ensured that sheds and queue complexes are not overcrowded
• Devotees should be given chukku vellam (dry ginger water) and biscuits at these places
• Special consideration should be given to women and children in the queue
• Volunteers should be appointed to help the devotees
• Deficiencies in facilities should be reported to the Special Commissioner.

Darshan time cannot be extended, says Tantri
The Devaswom Board stated in the High Court that the Tantri informed that Sabarimala darshan time cannot be increased in the current situation. The position was announced in a special sitting of the Devaswom bench in the context of uncontrolled crowding at Sabarimala. The court had asked whether the darshan time at Sabarimala could be extended by two more hours.

Security at Sannidhanam
1203 policemen
40 National Disaster Response Force personnel
113 Rapid Action Force members
25 Rapid Force members and disaster management personnel each in Pampa