The stage is set for the grand Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam in Thiruvananthapuram, with the state government finalising an extensive blueprint for security, crowd management, and public amenities. The high-level review meeting, chaired by General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Saturday, laid out a comprehensive plan for the festival scheduled from February 23 to March 4.
Robust Security and Crowd Management Plan
A multi-layered security apparatus will be activated for the event. Police deployment will begin with 117 personnel from the opening day on February 23. The numbers will see a massive surge on the main Pongala day, March 3, with 3,640 police personnel set to be on duty. To manage the anticipated lakhs of devotees, officials have proposed a significant change in strategy.
Instead of using ropes, which was deemed difficult, the temple premises will be divided into two distinct sectors using barricades to regulate crowd flow efficiently. Furthermore, it was decided to reorient the main stage towards the ground rather than the main road to improve accessibility and safety.
Medical, Sanitation, and Green Protocol Initiatives
Health services are being prioritised, considering the scale of the gathering. A 24-hour medical team, including a paediatrician, will be stationed at the venue. A network of 10 ambulance points and a full-time medical control room near the temple will ensure rapid response. In anticipation of burn injuries, a directive has been issued to reserve 10 per cent of beds in nearby hospitals, with private hospitals also integrated into the emergency system.
Sanitation efforts will be monumental, with 3,500 workers deployed on Pongala day alone to manage the clean-up. Water supply will be bolstered by 27 tankers on the eve of the festival. Emphasising environmental responsibility, the 200 voluntary groups conducting 'annadanam' (food distribution) have been instructed to strictly follow the green protocol. A 'Green Army' will be constituted to enforce this, and arrangements are in place for the scientific disposal of an estimated 300 tonnes of waste generated on the main day.
Transport, Regulations, and Festival Schedule
To facilitate devotees' travel, the KSRTC will operate 800 special bus services this year, an increase from 700 last year. Local MLA V K Prasanth called for regulating commercial activities from Killippalam to Attukal Bund Road and implementing a system to register annadanam activities. The festival rituals commence with Kappukettu and Kudiyiruthal on February 23, followed by the start of Kuthiyottam observance on February 25.
An important note for devotees: as March 3 coincides with a lunar eclipse, the temple will remain closed for darshan from 3:10 PM to 7:00 PM on that day. Ward-level meetings for volunteer groups will also be convened to ensure seamless coordination for one of the largest annual gatherings of women in the world.
