Pilgrims walking from Erumela to Pampa through traditional forest. The scene in Karimala. | Photo credit: LEJU KAMAL
Taking serious note of the increasing number of road accidents on the Sabarimala route from Erumela, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) and the police have launched joint efforts to curb the alarming trend.
As part of this, a team comprising officials of MVD, police, finance department and grama panchayats of Erumely and Mundakkayam conducted inspections at major accident prone stretches on Tuesday. The Erumely-Kanamala corridor, through which most pilgrim vehicles pass, has been reporting a high number of accidents for several years. Even this season, this pattern continues, until November 30, 15 accidents were recorded.
According to officials, the highest number of accidents have been reported in Kanamala and Kannimala regions, while pilgrim vehicle accidents are also reported along the Mundakkayam-Erumely and Pala-Ponkunnam stretches.
Surveillance
“The motor vehicle department under the Safe Zone project is maintaining round-the-clock vigil on three key roads used by Sabarimala pilgrims. Drivers traveling overnight are being offered hot water and coffee at various places,” the official said.
Police patrolling has also been stepped up at dangerous stretches like Eruthuvappuzha and Karingallumoozhi to regulate the speed of vehicles. “Unauthorized vehicle modifications from outside the state are incompatible with the steep winding stretch from Erumela to Elavunkal and are a major contributor to the increasing number of accidents,” the official added.
Meanwhile, there are also complaints that the authorities have not implemented several security measures recommended by NATPAC, which assessed the Sabarimala routes ahead of the pilgrimage season.
A road safety survey conducted by the MVD two years ago highlighted major concerns about the safety of travel on hilly routes. While the study identified 134 accident-prone spots on key stretches used by pilgrims, implementation of corrective measures has been delayed.
In Kottayam district, three major roads – Mundakayam-Kanamala, KVMS Junction-Erumely via Vizhikkathodu and Ponkunnam-Kuruvamoozhy via Kanjirappally – are heavily used by Sabarimala pilgrims. Authorities have identified Attivalav near Kanamala as one of the most dangerous places in the district.
Published – 02 Dec 2025 19:50 IST
