Kochi: In the wake of a heavy rush of pilgrims at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, the cops have imposed restrictions on tractors in the nearly 5-km Pamba-Sannidhanam stretch.
“From now onwards, tractor services will be allowed only from 12 noon to 4 pm and from 10 pm to 3 am only. A heavy rush of pilgrims is being witnessed. The measure is being taken to avoid any mishap and also to reduce pollution,” said police special officer S. Surendran.
Meanwhile, drinking water crisis at Sannidhanam and nearby areas will be resolved in two days. A 10, 000-litre capacity RO mineral water plant will start functioning on Thursday. Three more medicinal water counters with ten taps each will be opened along the pilgrimage route.
The KSEB will set up 200 more lights on the traditional forest trekking route to ensure the safety of pilgrims. Any complaints on the lines or street lights can be lodged on the number ‘04735-202024’.
The Kerala police said the pilgrims availing of the virtual queue facility crossed a record 16 lakh this season.
“Of this 7,82, 849 have already offered their prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple,” they said. Travancore Devaswom president on Tuesday welcomed the court order directing for status quo in the issue of appam production at Sabarimala.
