PATHANAMTHITTA: There has been a significant reduction in the heavy rush in Sabarimala in the last 24 hours. It was the immediate intervention of the government that brought relief to the pilgrims. For the last five days, Sannidhanam and surrounding areas had been witnessing a heavy rush in such a way that it seemed that the situation was getting out of control. Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan visited Nilakkal, Pampa and Sannidhanam to assess the arrangements. The minister held discussions with the pilgrims, police and Devaswom officials.

Restrictions are still in place in allowing devotees from Pampa to Sannidhanam. There is a heavy rush in Pampa. Devotees have to wait for up to four hours. There are three pandals here. Two temporary pandals will be set up on Thursday. 50,062 people visited the Sabarimala temple through the virtual queue on Wednesday. Pilgrims who could not visit Sannidhanam returned home after performing Neyyabhishekam at the Valiyakoyikkal temple in Pandalam.

Steps taken to reduce rush
1. The number of devotees allowed to pass through the eighteenth step was increased from 60 to 70 per minute.

2. Hill descent was accelerated and virtual queue booking was reduced from 90,000 to 80,000

3. 35 to 40 KSRTC services per hour from Nilakkal to Pampa

4. More people were deputed from Pampa to Sannidhanam for distribution of drinking water and biscuits