Kerala clears extensive police arrangements for Sabarimala pilgrimage

25 September 2026

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said an extensive police set-up will be readied for the safety and convenience of pilgrims during the Sabarimala pilgrimage. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting he chaired at the Secretariat to review police preparations.
Pilgrims will be made aware to use the virtual queue system to the maximum to control crowding, and the Kerala DGP will directly inform the police chiefs of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka about it.
The Rapid Action Force and the Fire and Rescue Force will be deployed, and mock tests will be held to ensure that fire hydrants on the main routes including Marakkoottam are working.
CCTV surveillance at Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilackal will be strengthened and linked to the police control room, and special security will be arranged for Kunnar Dam, the water tank at Pandithavalam, LPG cylinder storage points and explosive storage.
Soil will be removed at Chakkupalam to create parking space for 400 to 500 additional vehicles, and repairs of police camps and toilets are to be completed before November 1.
Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan, Home Department Additional Chief Secretary Minhaj Alam, State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar and Sabarimala Chief Police Coordinator P. Vijayan attended.