Kerala HC directs TDB to ensure basic facilities for Sabarimala pilgrims at Erumely

You don’t have any Active Subscription.

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

The Kerala High Court has directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to ensure basic facilities for Sabarimala pilgrims at Erumely.

In addition, a Deputy Collector ought to be appointed to ensure better coordination and to resolve complaints of devotees. This followed a plea by Ayyappa Seva Sangam that works for the welfare of devotees at Erumely, seeking to improve amenities for the pilgrims.

In addition, steps must be taken to ensure that excessive parking fee is not collected. Moreover, drinking water and wash rooms must be provided to devotees. Parking centres that charge the rates as per the higher slab must arrange among others, CCTV surveillance and a mobile booking app for advance booking of parking space, apart from online payment facilities like UPI.

The court had said earlier that it was the TDB’s duty to ensure adequate facilities for pilgrims at all ‘edathavalams’, including at Erumely. The court also had issued directions to ensure safe and comfortable pilgrimage for devotees, and to prevent their exploitation by traders and others.

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.