Pampa and Sannidhanam Ready to Welcome Sabarimala Pilgrims; 24-Hour Control Rooms, 22 Medical Centres and Enhanced Safety Measures
Pathanamthitta district has completed preparations for the 2026–27 Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage, with special focus on pilgrim safety, healthcare, transportation, cleanliness and infrastructure.
The arrangements were reviewed at a meeting held at the Pamba Srirama Saketham Auditorium under the chairmanship of Revenue Minister A.P. Anilkumar.
Integrated control rooms will operate round the clock at Pampa, Nilakkal and Sannidhanam, with nodal officers from key departments. A special monitoring system will oversee pilgrim movement and coordinate activities across 18 sectors at Sannidhanam and 15 sectors covering Pampa and Nilakkal.
Twenty-two emergency medical centres along the pilgrimage and forest routes will become operational by November 10. Sannidhanam will have three ambulances, while an off-road ambulance will be introduced on the forest route for the first time. Medical services will also be arranged at Karimala Dispensary from the beginning of the season.
A team of 120 volunteers will provide stretcher services to transport patients during emergencies. CPR training will be given to nursing officers, police personnel and other duty staff, with CPR facilities available at all 22 medical centres.
As part of the Suchitwa Mission's ‘Nirmalam Sabarimala’ project, a major cleanliness drive will be held on November 9 along the main roads leading to Sabarimala. The campaign will involve local bodies, public representatives, students and voluntary organisations. The roads are expected to be cleared of waste by November 15. Around 1,000 personnel will undertake cleaning activities at Pampa, Nilakkal and Sannidhanam. Nearly 50 tonnes of old waste and scrap have already been removed. Special arrangements will also be made to collect and dispose of clothes left by pilgrims at Pampa.
The Motor Vehicles Department will implement the ‘Safe Zone’ project on the Pampa-Laha route, with round-the-clock safety patrols and mobile workshop facilities. KSRTC buses have undergone safety audits, while tractor inspections and driver training have been completed. Tractor inspection stickers will be distributed on November 11 and 12. An AI-based parking management system will also be introduced at Nilakkal.
Drinking water and snacks will be distributed to pilgrims waiting in queues from the first day. A prepaid counter system will regulate Dolly service charges, with registration to be completed by November 12. Toilet facilities at Pampa and Sannidhanam will be free for pilgrims this season.
The Water Authority will ensure adequate water supply at Pampa. Cleaning of around 30 bathing stalls and construction of barricades have been completed. Multilingual warning boards and proper lighting arrangements will be installed by November 12.
Eight transit centres under local bodies will provide drinking water, toilets and mobile charging facilities. BSNL will ensure necessary network connectivity at these locations.
The district administration has also fixed prices for food and essential items sold to pilgrims. Price lists will be published on the official portal, while joint inspection teams comprising Legal Metrology, Revenue, Health and sanitation officials will monitor prices and hygiene standards.
The Kerala State Electricity Board will install a fast-charging facility for electric vehicles at Pampa, allowing four vehicles to be charged simultaneously in around 30 minutes. A similar facility is planned at Nilakkal within 15 days.
The Travancore Devaswom Board has increased production capacity and procured sufficient raw materials to ensure uninterrupted supply of Appam and Aravana. A special Emergency Operations Officer has also been appointed at Pampa to coordinate disaster response activities.
The Public Works Department will complete tarring of the Chalakayam-Pampa road by November 12 and road marking by November 15. Authorities said coordinated efforts by all departments would ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage season.