The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has chalked out an action plan to avert accidents during the Thiruvabharanam procession and Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala.
A DDMA meeting chaired by District Collector P.B. Noohu decided to make elaborate arrangements at various places on the Thiruvabharanam procession route.
Various government departments have apprised the DDMA meeting of the chances for landslips on the Pampa hilltop from where pilgrims worshipped the Makaravilakku deeparadhana at Ponnambalamedu.
The Collector has set up a special team to inspect the place.
Mr. Noohu said the administration would make elaborate safety arrangements at the view points at Attathode, Neelimala, Ayyanmala, Panjippara, Elavumkal, and so on, where Ayyappa devotees gathered to witness Makaravilakku.
It was also decided to deploy stretcher units of the Ayyappa Seva Sanghom and the Sabarimala Sanitation Society volunteers at various view points.
Mr. Noohu directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to remove the waste piled up on the side of the road at Chalakkayam.
He called upon the pilgrims and others to avoid use of plastic.
The service of the Sabarimala Sanitation Society workers would be made available at Sabarimala, Pampa and Nilackal till January 22, even after the closure of the Ayyappa temple on January 20 morning, to ensure total removal of waste from the pilgrim centre.
More parking
The TDB informed the DDMA that parking arrangements had been made for 800 more light motor vehicles at Nilackal to meet the requirements during Makaravilakku.
Pilgrims would not be allowed to perch on tree branches to view the Makaravilakku deeparadhana. Also pilgrims, returning from Sabarimala after the Makaravilakku, would not be permitted to travel atop KSRTC buses.
Arrangements have also been made to ensure smooth vehicular traffic on various roads leading to Pampa during the Thiruvabharanam procession.
Emergency centres
The Collector said the administration had opened emergency operation centres headed by a Deputy Collector each at Nilackal, Pampa and Sannidhanam to strengthen the functioning of the DDMA.
The meeting decided to ensure strong security to the Thiruvabharanam procession that begins from Pandalam on January 12.
A team of officials attached to the departments of police, forests, fire and rescue, and revenue will also accompany the procession.
V.R. Premkumar, Additional District Magistrate at Sabarimala; Vinay Goel, Thiruvalla Subcollector; and M.A. Raheem, Adoor Revenue Divisional Officer; attended the meeting.
