The State government and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) will make all arrangements for women pilgrims at Nilackal and Sabarimala in the wake of the Supreme Court order lifting the ban on their entry to the hill shrine.
A decision in this score was made at a high-level meeting of the board and various department officials convened by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here on Monday to discuss the preparations to be made in Sabarimala.
Special arrangements would be made at the Nilackal base camp and the trekking route to the temple. Nilackal would have resting facility for 10,000 pilgrims. But an exclusive queue for women at the Sannidhanam may not be feasible, the meeting felt.
Special toilets, with a distinct colour, and bathing ghats would be provided for women. The meeting felt that pilgrims should not stay at the Sannidhanam and should descend soon after darshan as overnight stay would increase the stress on the facilities there.
A decision on increasing the number of days and time for darshan and pujas would be made in consultation with the Tantri (chief priest).
A digital queue system similar to the one in Tirupati would be introduced for crowd regulation. This would help the board have an idea about the number of pilgrims turning up for darshan. The board would launch a campaign on digital queue and plastic ban in other States.
More forces, including policewomen and volunteers, would be posted to help women pilgrims. More lights on the trekking path and the number of CCTV cameras would be increased. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation would set up exclusive waiting sheds for women at Nilackal, with 15 comfort stations. Of the 15 ticket counters planned, five would be for women. As much as 25% seats on buses would be reserved for women.
Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, Chief Secretary Tom Jose, board members and other officials attended the meeting.