Keralam splits Sabarimala into three police zones and opens a barrack for more than 700 police at Nilakkal before the Mandalam season

7 November 2026

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala reviewed police arrangements for the Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage at Sabarimala and opened a new police barrack at Nilakkal.
The barrack, built under the Sabarimala master plan, can house more than 700 police personnel.
The pilgrimage area is split into three zones for security: Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilakkal, with the ADGP (Law and Order) as nodal officer.
Police on duty will get a luggage allowance of Rs 600 instead of Rs 300, and a daily mess grant of Rs 90; Rs 3.60 crore is sanctioned for this.
Rs 3 crore goes to an Artificial Intelligence-based smart parking system at Nilakkal, and Rs 13 lakh to wrist tags that help reunite lost children with their families.
Temporary police stations will work at Sannidhanam, Nilakkal and Vadaserikkara. The 41-day Mandalam phase begins on November 17.