Kerala High Court issues directions for safe dolly service at Sabarimala

The Kerala High Court recently issued a slew of directions to ensure safety of the pilgrims who avail dolly service at Sabarimala [Suo Motu v State of Kerala & ors].After a a 60-year-old pilgrim in July fell from a dolly on the trekking path between Pamba and Sannidhanam, the Court had asked the Travancore Devaswom Board to explain the protocol for dolly services. Regarding the incident, it was told that use of dilapidated dollies was the reason for such incidents. The Division Bench of Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice PG Ajithkumar said to avoid such incidents in future, the concerned Engineer must inspect the dollies before every Maasapoojas and Mandala Makaravilakku Seasons and issue fitness certificates. "In addition to that, physical fitness certificates of dolly carriers may also be ensured by the Board, for the safety of pilgrims. The life span of every dolly used at Sabarimala has to be fixed and the dollies have to be destroyed after the completion of the fixed life span," the Court said. .A “dolly”, a bamboo chair fixed on two eucalyptus poles, is used by workers to transport pilgrims who are unable to walk the steep terrain between Pamba and Sannidhanam during the Sabarimala pilgrimage. Dolly workers, registered by the Travancore Devaswom Board, physically carry these seated pilgrims. Given the challenging trek, dolly services are in high demand, especially among elderly and pilgrims with disability.The total number of dollies at Sabarimala is 308. About 1532 persons have obtained registration as dolly workers..On Court's observations regarding certificates for dollies, the Executive Assistant Engineer at Sabarimala Development Project submitted that on physical inspection, the dollies seem strong.However, it was also submitted that it was impossible to ascertain any damage inside these wooden poles due to the exposure of the poles to sun and rain."It is not possible to issue an official fitness certificate for the dollies, which are made in a temporary setup. Further, the load-carrying capacity of the dollies may vary as they get older," the Court was told..Considering this and other material on record, the Court ordered that Travancore Devaswom Board shall ensure the fitness of the dollies used for carrying pilgrims.Further, the Court said only registered dolly workers, who carry valid police verification certificates and health cards, shall carry pilgrims through the trekking path on the dollies..It also directed that the rate for each trip (to and fro) in the dollies through the trekking path shall be exhibited in multiple languages at Pamba, Marakkootam and Sannidhanam, for the information of pilgrims."The Duty Magistrates at Pamba and Sannidhanam and also the officers in the Vigilance Wing of the Travancore Devaswom, under the additional 5th respondent Chief Vigilance and Security Officer, shall conduct periodical inspections during Maasapoojas and Mandala-Makaravilakku festival seasons, to prevent any exploitation of the pilgrims by the dolly workers," it further ordered.Additionally, the Court directed the authorities to take a decision on the proposal for enforcing a prepaid system for dolly charges, registration, providing QR code and RFID scanning for dolly service..[Read Judgment]