Kerala is set to deploy an extensive police and security network for the two-month-long Sabarimala pilgrimage season beginning in the third week of November 2026, with authorities prioritising crowd regulation, traffic management, emergency response, and the protection of critical installations. The preparations were reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala at the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, 25 September 2026.

Key Directions from the Security Review

Home Minister Chennithala directed police and other agencies to have all arrangements firmly in place well before the temple season opens. A central emphasis was placed on channelling the pilgrim rush through wider use of the virtual queue system. The Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) has been asked to liaise directly with police chiefs of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka to ensure pilgrims from neighbouring states are informed about the queuing mechanism ahead of travel.

Awareness campaigns will be rolled out in regional languages via press releases and social media platforms. Signboards and public announcement systems will be installed at key locations along pilgrimage routes.

Crowd Control, CCTV and Emergency Deployment

Security and police operations at Sannidhanam, Pampa, and Nilakkal will be tightly coordinated. CCTV surveillance at all three locations will be strengthened and integrated with police control rooms to enable real-time monitoring. Special security arrangements will be put in place at critical installations, and adequate lighting will be ensured at vulnerable points.

The Rapid Action Force and the Fire and Rescue Force will be deployed to handle emergencies. Fire safety arrangements along key routes will receive particular attention, and mock tests will be conducted to verify that fire hydrants — including those at Marakkoottam — are fully functional. The minister directed deployed personnel to maintain a friendly and compassionate approach towards devotees at all times.

Traffic, Parking and Vehicle Safety

Traffic and parking management is listed as another priority for the season. Parking facilities at Nilakkal and Chakupalam will be upgraded; soil removal at Chakupalam is expected to create additional space for 400 to 500 vehicles. In coordination with the Motor Vehicles Department, the fitness and speed of vehicles transporting pilgrims will be strictly monitored and checked.

Surveillance of Commercial Establishments

Authorities will tighten oversight of commercial establishments operating at Sannidhanam and Pampa. Employees working at these premises will be required to undergo police verification and carry identity cards at all times. Police will also strictly enforce a prohibition on pilgrims leaving clothes in the Pampa river.

Welfare of Deployed Personnel

The government is also focused on the welfare of the large police contingent that will serve throughout the season. Home Minister Chennithala directed officials to provide quality food, hygienic accommodation, and clean drinking water to personnel, and to complete all repairs to police camps and toilets before 1 November 2026.

The review meeting was attended by Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan, Home Department Additional Chief Secretary Minhaj Alam, State Police Chief Ravada Azad Chandrasekhar, Sabarimala Chief Police Coordinator P. Vijayan, and other senior officials. With the season fast approaching, the state administration's preparations signal a heightened focus on safety and orderly management for one of the world's largest annual pilgrimages.