Kerala Moves To Calibrate Sabarimala Spot Booking As Crowd Eases Under Court Caps

Overview

• After a review meeting on Saturday, authorities said the spot-booking limit will be raised based on daily footfall, with throughput at the 18 holy steps increased from about 70 to 85 pilgrims per minute and additional police support in place.
• The Kerala High Court’s caps remain in force—Virtual-Q at 70,000 a day and spot bookings at 5,000 a day until November 24—while permitting officials to make minor changes when inflow is low.
• The Travancore Devaswom Board reported reduced crowd density following the restrictions, and submitted green-zone capacities of 66,936 at Sannidhanam and 12,500 at Pamba.
• Spot booking currently operates only at Nilakkal and Vandiperiyar, with Pampa, Erumeli, and Chengannur centres suspended, and use of the Kanana Patha is limited to 5,000 pilgrims daily with valid bookings.
• Operations are being reinforced with daily multi-agency reviews, more amenities such as bio-toilets and drinking water, large information displays, an upgraded control room at Pamba, and a deployed Rapid Action Force unit at key points.