KOTTAYAM: The police are taking steps to ensure a smooth Makarajyoti at Sabarimala on January 14 when the jyoti will be visible on the sky by 6.40 p.m. Sabarimala has witnessed serious accidents in the past due to the unprecedented crowds who throng the hills to witness the jyoti.
In a stampede that occurred at Pullumedu in 2011, 102 persons lost their lives. Therefore, the police will have to take additional steps to prevent such accidents.
There are at least 20 viewpoints at Sannidhanam and a few at Pullumedu where crowds gather.
After witnessing the jyoti, there will be a heavy rush of pilgrims from Pullumedu to Sannidhanam. The stampede in 2011 had occurred due to such a rush. Only fewer than a hundred police personnel were present at the spot then for crowd control. The presence of vehicles and vendors and the absence of proper lighting facility worsened the situation. A metallic chain installed by the forest department was another cause.
Justice Hariharan Nair Commission which investigated the stampede had suggested the installation of battery powered lights on the route from Sannidhanam to Sabarimala to prevent similar tragedies. But his suggestion remains on paper.
While TDB president A. Padmakumar says it is not their responsibility, the police say that they can control the crowds without lighting facility.
Lights will be installed with three separate generators through the 11-km from Pullumedu to Kozhikkanam which passes through the forest path. The pilgrims will move to Kumaly through this route.
Idukki district police chief K.B. Venugopal told DC that 150 Aska lights will also be installed on this route. The pilgrims who leave the place will be divided into separate segments to prevent any rush, he said.
