Elaborate arrangements have been chalked out by the Thiruvananthapuram Railway Division for Ayyappa devotees arriving on trains for the Mandalam- Makaravilakku pilgrim season in Sabarimala.
Additional counters at booking offices and reservation centres will be opened at the Chengannur and Kottayam stations.
An additional PRS counter will be opened at Pampa and an additional round-the-clock reservation counter at Kollam Junction.
Halting facility for 500 pilgrims at Kottayam and 600 pilgrims at Chengannur has been provided.
Assistance booths of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, District Collector, Travancore Devaswom Board, police, and the Health Department will be provided at the Kottayam and Chengannur stations.
Special permits have been issued for taxis in addition to the normal permits at Ernakulam, Kottayam, Chengannur, and Thrissur to avoid delay at these stations, sources said.
Special trains and provision of amenities will be monitored by officers and supervisors from all departments.
A task force comprising officers and supervisors will be deployed on Makaravilakku Day at Chengannur, Ernakulam, and Kottayam to operate special counters and coordinate all activities.
Security arrangements
To enhance security arrangements at railway stations and on trains, 220 RPF personnel have been mobilised from the Railway Protection Special Force and other divisions.
Ex-servicemen will be deployed at Chengannur and Kottayam for bandobast duty.