Idukki Panchayat Sets Aside Estate Land for Pilgrim Parking

The Idukki panchayat has set aside 30 cents of land from a private tea plantation estate near Chelimada to arrange parking and other facilities for Sabarimala pilgrims.

Facilities

Panchayat president M.M. Varghese stated that the reclaimed road poramboke land, which was allegedly held illegally by the plantation company along the Kottarakara-Dindigal National Highway, will house vehicle parking and resting spaces. The panchayat plans to build temporary toilets and a snack bar to provide food, alongside two more stay facilities near the Kumily bus stand.

Traffic Rules

autoridades have already arranged parking at the Kallarackal ground and are looking for more spaces in the town. Roadside parking will be banned during the season, and temporary shops will not be allowed in front of licensed shops to prevent traffic jams.

Context

Kumily town serves as a key stopover for travelers coming from states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Puducherry, and Telangana who often buy local spices and banana chips. Large pilgrim crowds every season regularly create heavy traffic bottlenecks, prompting local bodies to step up crowd and vehicle management efforts.