SABARIMALA: The police started strict measures to control the rush of pilgrims yesterday. Vehicles coming from Pathanamthitta and Erumeli sections were controlled at Elavungal before being sent to Pampa. In Kanana Patha, devotees are controlled at each centre and are allowed to climb the hill only as the crowd in Sannidhanam is reduced.

80 to 85 people were allowed to pass through the Pathinettam Padi every minute. In Nadappanthall, the passage of mallikapurams and differently-abled persons through the special footpath has been tightened. There are 1950 policemen for security arrangements. A revenue squad headed by a duty magistrate and an executive magistrate has been tasked with ensuring infrastructure.

As the holidays were over, the traffic was reduced yesterday, but the vehicles from Lahai had to wait on the road for a long time. The restriction also affected KSRTC's Nilakkal-Pampa chain service.

The lack of experienced senior officers and police to control the crowd at Sannidhanam is said to be the reason for the difficulty in the past few days. Most of them are new police officers. There are also complaints that experienced people have been transferred to the security duties of Navakerala Sadas.

15.82 lakh pilgrims visited

The Devaswom Board informed that 15,82,536 devotees have visited the temple since 25 days after its opening. 43,595 pilgrims arrived yesterday through the virtual queue. As many as 90,000 pilgrims have come through the virtual queue in recent days. As the crowd increased, the court intervened and reduced the number of pilgrims to 80,000. Yesterday, the number of pilgrims was reduced by half.