The route cause

Pilgrims from neighbouring states trek through the Periyar Tiger Reserve where it is illegal to set up infrastructure facilities

The multitude of Sabarimala pilgrims from other states might be contributing a major chunk to the revenue of the government-run temple affairs board within 60 days and cheer up the states general trading activities. But for the Kerala government,the route those pilgrims take to reach the temple matters when it comes to providing basic facilities and protection.

Lakhs of bare-footed pilgrims from neighbouring states have been treading through the Periyar Tiger Reserve in border district of Idukki to the temple. Though the pilgrimage through the forest was known as an illegal activity,the government never wanted to ban it or provide minimum amenities to them. Like Pullumedu in Idukki,there are other two vantage points in the same district used by pilgrims,mainly from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka,to have a glimpse of the celestial light,Makara Jyoti. However,the devotees thronging these areas do not come under the official eye.

Temple Affairs Minister and Congress S leader Kadannappalli Ramachandran said the pilgrims coming through Pullumedu and other routes in Idukki do not come under government care. They would not get any insurance coverage of Rs 1 lakh. The coverage is only for the pilgrims who take the main route of Erumeli to Pamba to Sabarimala.

The proposed Rs 500-crore special development package would also address the issue of pilgrims coming through Pampa,he said. He said the government has limitations for providing support for the pilgrims at the Pullumedu. He also found a chance to blame the Centre on the issue,saying that it was up to the Union government to allow construction activities in the famous tiger reserve.

Asked why the illegal pilgrimage through the forest should not be banned,Ramachandran said the government has chosen to look the other side in this regard.

In fact,this approach of the Kerala government would expose the pilgrims from other states to the tragedies of this magnitude. The routes through Idukki is mainly used by pilgrims from Tamil Nadu.

This is the second time that Idukki district,which has only basic healthcare facilities,has become a grave for persons from other states. The Thekkady boat tragedy of 2009 had claimed 45 lives,all of other states. In Fridays stampede too,except six victims,the rest were from the neighouring states.