Kerala deploys over 1,000 buses for peak Sabarimala pilgrimage season

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has announced a substantial expansion of its transport fleet to accommodate the anticipated influx of pilgrims during the peak Sabarimala pilgrimage season. The state-run operator will deploy 461 buses exclusively for the Mandala pooja festival, with an additional 561 buses scheduled for Makaravilakku, supplemented by a fleet of leased vehicles to meet demand.

Special bus services will operate from major depots across Kerala to ferry devotees to key transit hubs at Pampa and Nilakkal, which serve as primary access points for the hilltop shrine. The enhanced connectivity aims to streamline the movement of large crowds during the festival periods, traditionally marked by surges in temple visitations.

In addition to scheduled services, the KSRTC's Budget Tourism Cell will facilitate chartered trips for organized groups and individual travellers seeking customized transport arrangements. This multi-pronged approach is designed to reduce congestion and ensure safer passage for the thousands of pilgrims converging on the sacred site during these significant religious observances. Officials emphasize that the expanded operations will continue only for the duration of the two festivals, after which services will revert to regular schedules.