Following a significant influx of approximately 200,000 pilgrims that caused considerable congestion at Sabarimala, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and police have instituted new restrictions starting Wednesday to better manage the flow of devotees during the Mandala–Makaravilakku season. The authorities have limited real-time darshan bookings to 20,000 per day and total daily entry to 100,000 pilgrims. To alleviate crowding, seven new counters will be established at Nilakkal to prevent large groups from rushing to Pamba in search of tickets. Devotees arriving in groups will be rescheduled for darshan the following day, with overnight accommodations arranged at Nilakkal. Queue complexes along the Marakkoottam–Saramkuthi–Sannidhanam route are being fully prepared, offering drinking water, light meals, and chukku coffee.
Officials have assured that devotees who enter these complexes will keep their place in the queue. Additional personnel, including 200 cleaning workers from Tamil Nadu, have been deployed to assist with sanitation, water distribution, and crowd management. Movement of passengers from Nilakkal to Pampa will also be regulated to ensure timely darshan and return. TDB president K Jayakumar noted that the crowd surge was exacerbated by individuals cutting in line and many virtual-Q holders arriving on days other than their scheduled bookings. ADGP S Sreejith indicated that police had to facilitate over 37,000 spot bookings on Tuesday, significantly exceeding the planned cap, due to high demand for same-day entry.
Opposition leaders have criticized the state government for inadequate crowd management and lack of basic amenities like drinking water and sufficient police presence. They contended that arrangements should have been finalized prior to the implementation of the model code of conduct, with Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan urging immediate intervention from the Kerala High Court. Amid the heavy influx, a 58-year-old woman from Koyilandy tragically passed away after collapsing in the queue, with the TDB arranging for her body to be transported home. Additionally, a bus carrying 33 pilgrims from Karnataka overturned near Erumely, resulting in injuries to three passengers, who were subsequently released from medical care.
