[Sabarimala Temple] Widely publicise facilities so more devotees can have darshan: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the Kerala State government and the Travancore Devaswom Board to widely publicise the facilities available to pilgrims so that more devotees can have darshan at the Sabarimala during the two month mandala-pooja season. .A Division Bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajithkumar issued the order in one of the many Sabarimala matters that have reached the Court, during the ongoing mandalam (Sabarimala pilgrimage) season that sees a huge influx of devotees at the temple. ."The State and also Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to give wide publicity through print and visual media about the facilities available to pilgrims, so that more number of devotees can have Sabarimala Darshan. In case of any difficulties faced by the devotees, it is for the officers concerned to report the said facts to the Special Commissioner or the Executive Officer so as to enable them to bring it to the notice of this Court for appropriate orders," the order stated..The Court passed the order on a matter taken up by it based on a report by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner. .Verification CentresThe report filed by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner stated that all pilgrims coming via long-distance buses are offloaded at Nilakkal for verification of virtual-Q coupons and Covid vaccination/test certificates, which according to the Special Commissioner causes significant delay. He had, therefore, suggested that more verification centres be opened.The State Attorney submitted that in addition to nine verification centres, three more centres will be started at Nilakkal to verify virtual-Q coupons and Covid vaccination certificates.Further, four more spot-booking centres at Thripunithura, Kodungallur, Chottanikkara and Thiruvilwamala are being opened under Cochin Devaswom Board, the Court was told..KSRTC Bus FairThe report of the Special Commissioner also referred to complaints from pilgrims that Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is collecting excess fares from them and not providing an adequate number of buses.In this regard, the KSRTC Standing Counsel submitted that as per a Government Order dated July 7, 2020, in respect of service operated in connection with Mandalapooja at Sabarimala, during the two months of November and December, KSRTC may "realise" 30 per cent of the rates, in addition to the rates of fares fixed for the respective class of services. Going by the said order, the KSRTC is entitled to collect ₹56 and ₹106 as fare for AC and non AC buses respectively. However, it is charging only ₹50 and ₹80, he added..Increasing number of PilgrimsTDB Standing Counsel pointed out that the number of pilgrims having darshan at Sabarimala per day is now in the range of 38,000–40,000.The State Attorney submitted that a decision shall be taken in a joint meeting of all concerned, including the TDB, on the question as to whether the number of pilgrims permitted to visit Sabarimala per day is to be hiked. In a statement filed on behalf of the KSRTC, it was stated that 80 non AC buses and 40 AC buses are allotted for Nilakkal-Pampa services and an additional crew of 10 drivers and conductors are posted for the said service due to an increase in the number of pilgrims..Group Booking Regarding group-booking on virtual-Q platform, the State Attorney submitted that the facility was stopped when it was noticed that it was being misused by certain travel agencies. However, pilgrims from other States as a group of 40 or 50 persons, holding virtual-Q coupons, will be permitted to proceed to Sannidhanam even beyond the time limit prescribed in the respective coupons, subject to the availability of open slots.The KSRTC Standing Counsel submitted that if any request is made by groups having persons minimum 40 in number, they will be permitted to be carried in a single bus from Nilakkal to Pampa and back. Such groups will also have the facility for online booking through the KSRTC Web Portal..The Court opined that sufficient facilities are being provided to devotees for the time being. It, therefore, closed the matter after recording the submissions made by the Kerala government, the TDB and the KSRTC in response to the issues raised in the report..[Read Order]