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Kerala High Court Caps Sabarimala Footfall at 75,000, Cuts Spot Bookings to 5,000

Judges said resources had reached breaking point, prompting orders for scientific crowd planning.

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The bench said the situation at the shrine had recently spiralled out of control as nearly 200,000 pilgrims arrived within 48 hours of the temple opening on November 16. (PTI)
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Kerala HC tells TDB to limit daily spot booking at Sabarimala to 5000

Overview

  • Under the court’s interim directions, daily entry is limited to 75,000 with Virtual-Q slots fixed at 70,000 and spot bookings restricted to 5,000 until November 24.
  • The Travancore Devaswom Board moved to comply by limiting spot booking counters to Nilakkal and Vandiperiyar and suspending centres at Pamba, Erumeli and Chengannur.
  • The bench cited unsafe crowd density and mandated a multidisciplinary expert committee, GIS-based amenity audits and density-based safety thresholds, with follow-up reporting on November 24.
  • Authorities bolstered operations with additional police, Indian Reserve Battalion support and NDRF teams, and were directed to ensure water, sanitation and other basic services along key routes.
  • The clampdown follows an early-season surge of nearly two lakh pilgrims in 48 hours, a reported death in the queue and a separate bus overturning that left three injured, drawing sharp political criticism of preparedness.