Kerala Transport Corporation Lines Up Over 1,000 Buses for Sabarimala Pilgrimage

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation will deploy over one thousand buses in two phases for the annual Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. Officials stated that 461 buses will operate during the Mandala pooja period, while 561 buses will run during the Makaravilakku festival, with additional leased vehicles added as pilgrim numbers grow.

Operations

Phased services will connect major depots and hubs across the state, including Chengannur, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Erumeli, Thiruvananthapuram Central, Ernakulam, Kumily, Kottarakara, Punalur, Adoor, Thrissur, Guruvayur, and Kayamkulam, alongside continuous chain services between Pampa and Nilakkal. During the two festival phases, Nilakkal will host 180 and 220 buses, Chengannur will have 60 and 80 buses, and Kottayam will operate 50 and 60 buses respectively. The transport body's Budget Tourism Cell will also provide chartered pilgrimage trips with online booking, while special buses will run from over 70 selected temples near depots.

Facilities

Authorities are upgrading parking spaces, garages, staff rest areas, and sanitation systems at Pampa and Nilakkal, alongside police help desks, waiting sheds, and barricades at Triveni. Officials noted that 1,456 staff members will be assigned across both locations in two phases, with 678 workers during Mandala pooja and 778 during Makaravilakku. Transport officials will also work with other departments to stop illegal parking and unauthorized parallel transport along the Nilakkal-Pampa route.

Context

The Sabarimala pilgrimage draws millions of devotees from across India every year, requiring massive crowds and transport management by state authorities. Public transport services like these help handle the heavy rush of pilgrims travelling through hilly terrain to reach the hill shrine.