Sun Nov 02 15:02:34 UTC 2025: Summary:
Police in Pathanamthitta, India, have implemented a new mobile app, the “Pampa Police Sabarimala Workers Data Register App,” to digitally register and monitor all workers at the Sabarimala hills. This initiative aims to improve security and track individuals, especially those with criminal backgrounds, working in temporary jobs around the Sannidhanam, Pampa, and Nilackal areas. The app allows real-time tracing using names, Aadhaar numbers, or phone numbers. The police collected data through Google Forms, QR codes, WhatsApp groups, and on-site registrations, resulting in a database of over 5,200 workers. The app has already been used during high-security events and the next step will be photo IDs for workers.
News Article:
Sabarimala Hills Get High-Tech Security Boost with New Worker Tracking App
PATHANAMTHITTA, India – November 2, 2025 – Authorities in Pathanamthitta have launched a cutting-edge mobile application designed to bolster security at the Sabarimala hills. The “Pampa Police Sabarimala Workers Data Register App” allows police to digitally register and monitor every worker employed in the area, offering unprecedented levels of real-time tracking and verification.
Traditionally, the annual pilgrimage season sees over 7,000 workers flock to Sabarimala for temporary jobs in catering, retail, cleaning, and other services. However, the lack of a centralized worker database has posed security challenges, making it difficult to identify individuals with criminal backgrounds or those seeking to operate undetected.
Conceptualized by Pampa SHO C.K. Manoj and technically developed by R.R. Rajesh of the Pathanamthitta Cyber Cell, the app enables police to instantly access worker information using names, Aadhaar numbers, or phone numbers. Data collection began in April 2025, utilizing Google Forms, QR codes, and a dedicated WhatsApp group to register workers entering the area. Over 5,200 workers are already in the system.
“Instances of people living in disguise in and around Sabarimala during the pilgrimage season are common. Physical registers kept at Pampa and the Sannidhanam were rarely updated in real time, making background checks tedious,’’ said a senior police official.
Police officials have already utilized the app during high-security events, such as the recent visit by the President of India. The next phase of the project involves issuing photo identification cards to all verified workers, starting with the 2025-26 pilgrimage season. Authorities anticipate that this new system will not only enhance security but also improve overall service efficiency for the millions of devotees who visit the sacred shrine each year.
First Piper 