Sabarimala Mandala Season Preparations Complete; District Administration Ready to Welcome Pilgrims
Pathanamthitta: Final preparations for the 2026–27 Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season have been completed, with the district administration and various departments fully ready to receive devotees, District Collector A. Nizamuddeen said.
Speaking at a review meeting held at the Collectorate's Gavi Hall, the Collector said road maintenance and marking works had been completed along the routes from Mannarakulanji onwards using funds allocated to the National Highways (NH) and Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP).
The newly constructed Chalakkayam–Pampa road, completed in one-third of the originally scheduled time, will be inaugurated on November 15 by the Ministers for Public Works and Devaswom. The electrification of the road, completed by KSEB, will also be commissioned on the same day.
As part of the sanitation drive, around 1,35,000 kg of waste has been removed from Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilakkal for the first time. The work was carried out under the leadership of the Suchitwa Mission, Local Self-Government Department and Clean Kerala Company. The Devaswom Board and Sanitation Society have also started joint cleaning operations to ensure that Sannidhanam and Pampa are completely free of waste before being opened to pilgrims.
The meeting decided to ensure round-the-clock cleaning along the traditional Neelimala–Appachimedu route. Warning boards will be installed to prevent waste disposal, and additional mobile toilets will be provided. The Collector also said that around Rs 3.30 crore allocated to local self-government institutions could be utilised during the pilgrimage season.
KSEB has completed an additional electric vehicle charging station as directed by the Revenue Minister. Mobile charging stations and lighting facilities have also been arranged at all edathavalams.
Six new barracks have been constructed for police personnel. The National Highways and PWD departments will complete the installation of road safety stickers and blinkers to improve driver safety. The Water Authority has also initiated steps to make water kiosks operational.
Following the Chief Minister's instructions, a 24-hour Integrated Control Room (ICR), bringing together nodal officers from all departments, has been established at Pampa.
The Collector directed all departments to maintain close coordination throughout the pilgrimage season, which will continue until the end of January. He also instructed officials to immediately bring even minor issues to the attention of the district administration to ensure timely action.