Parking lot at Anavacal near Kumila in Idukki. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The forest department has denied permission to Sabarimala pilgrims to park their vehicles at Anavachal in Kumily.
A large number of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh use the Kumily-Mundakkayam-Erumeli-Pampa route to reach the hill temple.
Kumily panchayat secretary R. Ashok Kumar says the local body has written to the deputy director of the Eastern Periyar Tiger Reserve seeking permission to park vehicles of Sabarimala pilgrims at the forest department parking lot in Anavachal.
“There are no other parking facilities in the city. During the pilgrimage season, the city experiences an hour-long traffic snarl. As the city lacks basic facilities, the panchayat was ready to fix makeshift toilets, lights and other facilities for the pilgrims there,” he says.
“However, the forest department has opposed the plan saying there is a case related to Mullaperiyar and Tamil Nadu will challenge the decision in court if parking is allowed on the land,” Mr. Kumar said.
KS Shine, Deputy Director of Tourism, Idukki, says the parking lot has been built with the tourism department’s ₹5.5 crore fund for tourists and the public.
“The tourism department has also sent a letter to Idukki collector Dineshan Cheruvatta to allow pilgrims to park their vehicles at the Anavachal parking lot. More than 350 cars could be parked there. Allowing pilgrims’ vehicles to park during the season will help reduce traffic congestion in Kumily town,” he says.
According to sources, the collector called a meeting of various unions, to which the forest department also raised an objection.
Meanwhile, PTR East deputy director PU Saju says the parking issue was resolved in a meeting called by the then forest minister in 2019.
“The parking lot was built for a purpose, and if it is given over to another use, the real purpose cannot be fulfilled. Moreover, according to the recent verdict of the Supreme Court, the land of the tiger reserve cannot be diverted for another purpose,” he said.
Published – 19 Nov 2025 19:45 IST
