Sabarimala pilgrimage: KSRTC to deploy over 1,000 buses

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has made extensive arrangements for the safe and smooth transportation of Ayyappa devotees during the annual Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. In the first phase, 461 buses will operate during the Mandala pooja period and 561 during the Makaravilakku festival. The fleet will be augmented as the pilgrim influx increases, including through leased buses, said the authorities.

Besides the chain services between Pampa and Nilakkal, phased services will connect major depots and special service hubs across the State. Special services will operate from Pampa, Nilakkal, Chengannur, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Erumeli, Thiruvananthapuram Central, Ernakulam, Kumily, Kottarakara, Punalur, Adoor, Thrissur, Guruvayur and Kayamkulam. Nilakkal will have 180 buses during the Mandala-pooja period and 220 buses during Makaravilakku. Chengannur will have 60 and 80 buses, respectively, while Kottayam will have 50 and 60 buses.

Chartered services

The KSRTC Budget Tourism Cell will arrange chartered Sabarimala pilgrimage trips, with online reservation facilities. Special services to Pampa will also be operated as required from temples near KSRTC depots and designated service hubs. Arrangements will include facilities for pilgrims to rest and stay overnight. KSRTC will soon publish a list of more than 70 temples selected for the service. Additional services and trips will be scheduled based on requests from public representatives, officials said.

Traffic management

Facilities at Pampa and Nilakkal, including bus parking, garages, staff accommodation and sanitation systems, will be improved. Priority will be given to ensuring adequate parking at Nilakkal, preventing unauthorised parking, providing police assistance near the bus station, and installing waiting sheds and barricades at Triveni. Coordination with the Pampa control room will be strengthened to manage crowds and ensure the timely deployment of buses. Additional buses will be positioned at Pampa and Nilakkal based on data on pilgrim arrivals and departures, said officials.

In coordination with other departments, KSRTC will also take steps to curb unauthorised parallel transport services and illegal parking along the Nilakkal-Pampa route and at other key locations that could disrupt official bus operations. Operations will be coordinated through special transport management committee meetings involving elected public representatives at Pampa, Chengannur and other locations.

A total of 1,456 staff members will be deployed at Pampa and Nilakkal in two phases to ensure smooth transportation throughout the pilgrimage season. Of these, 678 will be deployed during the Mandala-pooja period and 778 during Makaravilakku, officials said.