Additional forces to control rush at Sabarimala: DGP

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Additional police personnel would be deployed at Sabarimala during the current `Mandalam' and `Makaravilakku' pilgrimage season to the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa in view of the heavy rush of devotees, a top police official has said.

The flow of pilgrims had been heavy for the past few days and steps had been taken to reduce the hardships faced by the devotees, DGP K S Balasubramaniam said in a statement here yesterday.

The decision to block vehicles at ' Nilakkal' would be given up taking into account the inconvenience of piligrims. Further inititatives would be taken to control the flow of pilgrims to the 18 holy steps to the holy shrine.

On the trekking path between Marakoottam and Nadapandal, steps would be taken to distribute potable water and snacks to the pilgrims, he said.

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation authorities had been asked to resume services in the Kumili-Uppupara route in the interest of the pilgrims who were being fleeced by jeep operators, he said.