The Kerala High Court has drawn a firm line on the number of devotees allowed at Sabarimala, fixing the daily cap at 75,000 while introducing a refundable security deposit for online bookings to curb overcrowding and last-minute surges.
The directions came as part of a broad set of measures aimed at tightening crowd control, strengthening infrastructure, and ensuring smoother coordination ahead of the upcoming pilgrimage season. The Court endorsed the assessment that limiting daily movement from Pamba to Sannidhanam — as well as Nilakkal to Pamba — would strike a balance between safety and accessibility.
According to the order, both virtual queue bookings and spot registrations must collectively adhere to the 75,000 limit. The cap aligns with studies indicating that the optimal carrying capacity at Sannidhanam hovers around 80,000 devotees per day, with the inflow scientifically pegged slightly lower for safety.
To tackle speculative bookings, the Court approved the introduction of a nominal, refundable security deposit for each virtual slot. The amount will be returned if devotees arrive within their allotted time window, or adjusted against prasadam of equal value. Failure to turn up could result in forfeiture, a move intended to reduce slot-blocking and unpredictable crowd spikes.
The Bench emphasised a shift towards a technology-centric, pilgrim-focused management model for the Mandala-Makaravilakku season. It directed the formation of a dedicated Sabarimala Infrastructure and Crowd Management Expert Committee to design a scientific blueprint for the pilgrimage. The State government has been asked to propose experienced officers for inclusion in the panel.
In addition, a multidisciplinary team comprising experts in transport engineering, urban planning, disaster management, public health, environmental science, and data analytics will prepare a comprehensive operational plan. A separate coordination and monitoring task force is expected to oversee implementation across departments, including transport, water supply, electricity, and district administration. The State has also been told to appoint a senior IAS officer as Additional District Magistrate for Sabarimala to streamline inter-departmental coordination.
The Court strongly supported the push for digitisation, backing plans for a comprehensive technology overhaul. Authorities were asked to establish an AI-based Integrated Command and Control Centre for real-time monitoring, predictive crowd management, and coordinated decision-making. The surveillance network will also be expanded after the Court noted shortcomings in the existing CCTV setup.
Accommodation systems will undergo complete digitisation to identify unauthorised occupants. The order also calls for widening key roads, creating emergency exit corridors at Nilakkal, Pamba, and Sannidhanam, and strengthening transport logistics.
Environmental and sanitation measures featured prominently. Authorities have been directed to implement deep-cleaning operations, standardised waste management, and strict enforcement of green protocols, including bans on plastic and synthetic materials. All planning must respect the ecological sensitivity of the surrounding reserve.
To enhance pilgrim comfort, the Court recommended expanding toilets, drinking water kiosks, rest areas, medical facilities, and multilingual information systems along the trekking route.
Finally, the Bench laid down a strict implementation timeline, mandating that all preparatory measures be completed at least two months before the pilgrimage season begins.
