Sabarimala’s New Exit Bridge Expected: Sannidhanam-Marakoottam path
The Sabarimala temple in Kerala, a major pilgrimage site drawing millions of devotees annually, is set be expected to receive a significant infrastructure upgrade with the construction of a new 360-metre exit bridge along the Sannidhanam-Marakoottam path.
The Sabarimala exit bridge project is currently in the proposed stage, awaiting the Detailed Project Report for final design and implementation decisions.
With an estimated cost of ₹50 crore to ₹100 crore, the bridge will be funded by the Sabarimala Master Plan Committee and the Kerala state government. It will serve as a dedicated one-way exit, guiding pilgrims who have completed darshan at the Sannidhanam and Malikappuram shrines and collected prasadam near the Annadanam Hall toward the path connecting Marakoottam and Jyothi Nagar. This redirection is expected to significantly reduce overcrowding in the temple premises, particularly during the peak Mandala-Makaravilakku season.
The bridge will originate near the water treatment plant in Sannidhanam and traverse a challenging stretch of forest land with steep gradients. Engineers are evaluating whether to use raised pillars or a suspension design, with the final decision awaiting the Detailed Project Report (DPR) from the infrastructure consultancy agency TERMS. The need for a dedicated exit route stems from the limitations of a previous Bailey bridge, constructed by the Indian Army for emergency use, which failed to manage crowd flow effectively, as noted by a high-level committee.
This project builds on earlier, unrealized plans to address congestion. In 2019, a ₹21-crore steel bridge was proposed to link Malikappuram and Chandranandan Road, but it did not proceed.
Complementing the bridge, the Travancore Devaswom Board is developing a ropeway from Pamba Hilltop to Sannidhanam to transport goods and serve as an emergency air ambulance route. Additionally, plans for a modern specialty hospital in Nilakkal to enhance pilgrim facilities.