Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Minister K Muraleedharan on Thursday directed officials to ensure a smooth Sabarimala pilgrimage this year.

He stressed that the shortcomings reported during the previous pilgrimage season should not recur.

Chairing a review meeting on the annual pilgrimage, the state Health and Devaswom Minister said preparations should begin well in advance and stressed that there should be no compromise on providing adequate facilities for pilgrims, according to a statement.

Muraleedharan said priority should be given to rectifying shortcomings identified during last year’s pilgrimage and asked the police to take special measures to prevent overcrowding, particularly during the initial weeks of the season.

He said steps should be taken to avoid a repeat of the situation in which some pilgrims were forced to halt at Pandalam due to crowd management issues.

Though the Travancore Devaswom Board has primary responsibility for conducting the pilgrimage, the state government has a major role in ensuring that it proceeds smoothly, the minister said.

With a higher pilgrim turnout expected this year, departments have been asked to make comprehensive preparations, he said, adding that a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister V D Satheesan would be convened soon to review the arrangements.

Muraleedharan directed that roads leading to the hill shrine be repaired well before the pilgrimage season and said he had discussed with the transport minister the need to ensure adequate KSRTC bus services.

He called for measures to reduce the inconvenience and additional financial burden on pilgrims arriving in large vehicles, and suggested that the police and the TDB examine the feasibility of allowing such vehicles to proceed directly to Pampa instead of stopping at Nilakkal.

The minister asked MLAs to report any shortage of staff at government health centres in the pilgrimage zone, assuring that immediate steps would be taken to address such issues.