O R D E R

Anil K. Narendran, J.

This DBP is registered suo motu based on news items that appeared in Mathrubhumi daily and Malayala Manorama daily dated 18.07.2022 regarding crowd management at Sabarimala Sannidhanam, in connection with ‘Karkidaka Pooja’. As per the news items, since the restrictions regarding number of pilgrims for Sabarimala dharshan has already been lifted, large number of pilgrims had dharshan on 16.07.2022 itself. On 17.07.2022, the number of pilgrims was around 30,000. Since entry of private vehicles are permitted only up to Nilakkal, pilgrims are taken in Nilakkal-Pamba chain service by KSRTC. Considering the increase in the number of pilgrims, KSRTC has increased the number of buses in the chain service. There were protests by the pilgrims on 17.07.2022, for not providing sufficient number of buses from Pathanamthitta depot of KSRTC.

2. On 19.07.2022, when this matter came up for consideration, the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board submitted that KSRTC has not provided sufficient number of buses for Nilakkal-Pamba chain service. When there were complaints from the pilgrims, the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala, intervened and requested KSR