Keralam Plans Information Centres, QR Code Facilities for Sabarimala Pilgrims

The Keralam government is preparing to strengthen facilities for pilgrims visiting Sabarimala during the upcoming annual Mandala-Makaravilakku season, with plans to upgrade rest centres, introduce QR code services and improve basic amenities along pilgrimage routes. Local self-government institutions and district administrations are gearing up to ensure a safe and convenient pilgrimage experience, Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) Minister K M Shaji said on Saturday.

In a Facebook post, Shaji said the department was planning to transform existing rest centres along pilgrimage routes into information centres offering details about distances to various destinations, transport facilities, emergency helpline numbers, nearby hospitals and eateries.

The department is also considering introducing QR code facilities at all rest centres, enabling pilgrims to register complaints, submit suggestions and access emergency services. Installing adequate mobile charging points at these centres is another proposal under consideration, the minister said.

Shaji added that discussions would be held with service providers to explore the possibility of providing free internet facilities at rest centres and along pilgrimage routes, helping pilgrims access essential information and communicate during their journey. Emphasising the importance of basic amenities, the minister said local bodies had been given strict instructions to ensure an adequate supply of drinking water, proper street lighting and effective waste management.

The Local Self-Government Department would also ensure that public toilets and ‘Take a Break’ centres located along pilgrimage routes were fully operational before the commencement of the season, he said. The proposed measures are aimed at improving access to information, strengthening emergency support and ensuring better sanitation and convenience for devotees travelling to the hill shrine.

The annual Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season will commence on November 16, drawing large numbers of devotees to the Sabarimala temple. The preparations involve coordination between local self-government institutions and district administrations to ensure that essential services are available to pilgrims throughout the season.