Patnanamthitta: The Global Ayyappa Sangamam paved the way for focused discussions on the development of Sabarimala and the creation of better facilities for pilgrims. Over three panel discussions, experts, administrators, and policy thinkers came together to outline a roadmap for developing infrastructure, improving pilgrim experiences, and strengthening safety and sustainability. Here’s a look at the key suggestions that emerged during the three panel discussions:

Need to raze down buildings - Panel discussion: Sabarimala Maser Plan
Panellists: K Jayakumar (Former Chief Secretary), Dr B Sunil Kumar (Director, Indian Institute of Infrastructure and Construction), Dr Mathews K Lukose (NRI Commission), Dr Priyanjali Prabhakaran (Sabarimala High Power Committee)

The first panel discussion focused on the Sabarimala Master Plan, covering proposals for Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilackal.

1) Sannidhanam
One of the earliest recommendations was to relocate the appam and aravana production units, currently situated close to the temple, in order to reduce congestion.

The heavy rush created by pilgrims returning to the Thirumuttam after darshan and purchasing offerings also drew attention. To address this, experts suggested the construction of a new bridge connecting the police barrack near Malikappuram with Chandranandan Road. The estimated cost of the project is ₹50 crore.

Other suggestions included dismantling all buildings constructed without proper planning at Sannidhanamvin a phased manner.

The panel stressed that tractors, dollies, and ambulances should not pass through the trekking path used by devotees.

Fire safety was identified as a priority, with a proposal to install comprehensive systems in all buildings at an estimated cost of Rs.5 crore.

The Bhasmakkulam pond should be restored, with a dedicated pipeline laid to prevent wastewater from flowing into it.

A special area should also be arranged to accommodate up to 30,000 devotees during the Makarajyothi, the celestial light that draws huge gatherings.

The queue complexes between Marakkottam and Sannidhanam need to be redesigned to ease pilgrim movement, while both the traditional trekking path from Pampa and the Swami Ayyappan Road should be modernised for smoother passage.

2) Pampa
At Pampa, the focus was on safety and environmental protection.

The panel recommended building a new bridge connecting the hilltop parking ground with the Ganapati temple, at a cost of ₹50 crore. Designed to withstand calamities on the scale of the 2018 floods and avoid the pilgrims getting stranded, the bridge will be 138 metres long, 10 metres wide and include two-metre pedestrian pathways on either side.

Speakers also emphasised that the Devaswom’s 12.64 acres at Pampa should not host unnecessary buildings. A 50-metre buffer zone should be maintained along the riverbank to prevent environmental damage.

The 10-metre radius around the Pampa Ganapati temple should be brought under temple limits, prohibiting constructions.

The panel called for designated spaces at Pampa-Triveni for devotees to board and alight from buses, as well as parking for up to 10 buses bound for Nilackal simultaneously.

3) Nilackal
Nilackal was identified as the central hub where all devotees converge. The first priority is to transform the base camp with comprehensive facilities, including accommodation, toilets, a hospital and adequate parking.

To manage the massive influx, a 50-metre-wide special passage should be constructed to facilitate smooth arrival and exit of vehicles and pilgrims.

A ‘safety corridor' was also proposed, connecting the Mahadeva temple with the Devi temple.

Bridges linking key roads are part of the plan, with a DPR already prepared for ₹180 Crore.

The proposed parking facilities at Nilackal would accommodate 6,400 vehicles, including 800 buses, 1,600 mini-buses, and 4,000 cars.

To prevent overcrowding at Pampa, the panel suggested that only 4,000 pilgrims should be allowed onward entry per hour.

Finally, the pond and check dam at Nilackal should be renovated, while retaining eco-friendly fencing in the area.

Call for Kumbh mela model branding - Panel Discussion 2: Spiritual Tourism Circuit
Panellists: TKA Nair (former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister), K Biju (Tourism Secretary), S Swaminathan (Kerala Travel Mart), Kalanjoor Madhu (Director, Dhanalakshmi Bank), A Aji Kumar (Member, Travancore Devaswom Board)

The panel discussion on the Spiritual Tourism Circuit underscored the need for the government and the Travancore Devaswom Board to take proactive steps to link Sabarimala with the National Tourism Circuit. Panellists stressed that the Mandalam–Makaravilakku pilgrimage season should be branded on the scale of the Kumbhamela, positioning it as a global spiritual attraction.

Speakers pointed out that at events like the Kumbhamela and in pilgrimage centres such as Varanasi, young people are drawn through the effective use of reels, videos, and other social media tools. A similar strategy be adopted for Sabarimala to engage the youth and enhance outreach.

• Other key suggestions:
  Developing a broader tourism circuit around Sabarimala by integrating nearby places of worship from Hindu, Christian, and Muslim traditions.
• Launching targeted campaigns and training local guides to inform pilgrims about the services available at Sabarimala.
• Introducing Sabarimala to wider audiences in other states and countries through coordinated promotion.
• Strengthening basic infrastructure with seamless coordination between the Forest, PWD, and Devaswom departments to avoid delays.
• Restoring the Aryankavu–Punalur Road to facilitate smoother access for pilgrims.
• Opening certified vegetarian restaurants to meet the dietary requirements of devotees.
• Preserving the folklore traditions associated with the pilgrimage by organising cultural practices such as the Aazhi ritual and Bhajana at the local level.
• Exploring post-darshan tourism opportunities, including improving accommodation facilities and increasing the number of rooms and local homestays.

Harnessing technology for safer pilgrimage management - Panel Discussion 3:Crowd Management
Panellists: Jacob Punnoose (former DGP), S Sreejith (ADGP), Ajitha Beegum (DIG), and Dr B Padmakumar (Principal, Alappuzha Medical College)

The discussion on Crowd Management centred on creating conditions that would enable devotees to perform darshan and return home without difficulty. Panellists highlighted the urgent need to regulate the inflow of pilgrims in proportion to the shrine’s capacity, noting that while the Pathinettam Padi (18 holy steps) can safely accommodate 17,000 pilgrims per day, actual footfall often exceeded one lakh on peak days.

Challenges identified:

• In the previous pilgrimage season, over 40 lakh vehicles reached Sabarimala. Daily arrivals ranged between 60,000 and 70,000 vehicles, against a parking capacity of just 10,000.
• A total of 52 pilgrims died while trekking the hillock last season.
• At the Valiya Nadapandal, only six metal detectors and one baggage scanner are currently available to screen devotees, creating bottlenecks and security gaps.

Suggestions:

• Introduce a nominal fee for virtual queue bookings to regulate overbooking and discourage misuse.
• Deploy face recognition software to speed up security checks and ensure accuracy.
• Integrate AI-driven CCTV systems to detect anti-social elements and improve surveillance.
• Use ultra-modern drones for round-the-clock monitoring along the Nilackal–Pampa–Sannidhanam corridor; drones could also be deployed for medical emergencies.
• Establish an integrated control centre to coordinate security measures across Nilackal, Pampa, and Sannidhanam.
• Strengthen healthcare facilities at Sannidhanam and Pampa, with arrangements for airlifting patients during emergencies.