Thiruvananthapuram | TDB President K Jayakumar on Friday said a new set of reforms, including the use of technology for crowd management and digitisation, would be introduced during the next Sabarimala pilgrimage season.
Speaking to reporters after a TDB meeting here, Jayakumar said a number of preparatory works were being undertaken well in advance.
"We are working towards digitising various systems. At Sabarimala, there will be no cash-based arrangements; everything will be handled online. This is not limited to financial transactions but will extend to administrative processes as well," he said.
He said another important initiative relates to crowd management.
"On June 20, in association with the Police Department, we will organise a major workshop in Kochi on the effective use of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology for crowd management. Around six recognised AI experts will participate in the event," he said.
He said the aim was to develop a protocol under which the pilgrimage movement to Nilakkal, Pampa, Marakkoottam and Sannidhanam would be regulated based on real-time crowd conditions.
"Using AI in real time, decisions will be made regarding the number of people who can be allowed to proceed at any given time. The workshop will be held at the IMA Hall in Kochi on June 20," he added.
He said the TDB would launch the Green Sabarimala initiative on June 14.
According to Jayakumar, the High Court has issued directions regarding the Sabarimala pilgrimage, and accordingly, the TDB is constituting a task force comprising officials from the Water Authority, Electricity Board, Forest Department, Police Department and other agencies.
"The objective is to coordinate all departments and implement a comprehensive Green Protocol for Sabarimala. Along with the Green Protocol, we are also introducing a dedicated sanitation protocol. Detailed discussions have been held with the Suchitwa Mission," he said.
Jayakumar said one of the biggest complaints had been the lack of adequate sanitation facilities.
"Until now, the usual practice was to place a few plastic bins, which proved insufficient. We are moving to a three-bin protocol," he said.
The TDB will procure a sufficient number of steel waste bins to support the initiative.
Waste will be segregated at source into three categories—biodegradable, non-biodegradable and hazardous waste.
"Shop owners will be given responsibility for proper segregation, and agreements have already been prepared for this purpose. We will also ensure proper waste processing and make the bio-treatment facilities fully operational," he said.
He said considerable progress was being made in this direction.
"Our dream is to manage this year's Sabarimala pilgrimage in a truly professional manner, and the Board is making every effort to achieve that," he said.
Regarding various corruption allegations, Jayakumar said he was not claiming that such issues had never occurred.
"I believe that when such matters come to light, they provide an opportunity to put systems in place to ensure they do not recur. This year, we are adopting a policy of zero tolerance towards corruption. We plan to undertake pre-audit and pre-vigilance measures to identify potential risks and eliminate them before problems arise," he said.
Lakhs of devotees from around the world visit the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple annually during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season.
