Wed Nov 19 14:15:33 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
The Forest Department in Idukki, India, has denied permission for Sabarimala pilgrims to use a parking ground in Anavachal, Kumily, during the pilgrimage season. This decision is causing concerns about traffic congestion in Kumily, as the town lacks adequate parking facilities. The Kumily panchayat and the Tourism department have requested the use of the ground, citing the need to alleviate traffic and provide basic amenities for pilgrims. However, the Forest Department cites a potential legal challenge from Tamil Nadu related to the Mullaperiyar dam and a recent Supreme Court verdict protecting tiger reserve land as reasons for their refusal.
News Article:
Sabarimala Pilgrims Face Parking Woes as Forest Department Denies Access to Anavachal Ground
IDUKKI, November 19, 2025 – Sabarimala pilgrims traveling through Kumily are facing potential parking challenges after the Forest Department denied permission to use a parking ground at Anavachal, near Kumily in Idukki, for the upcoming pilgrimage season.
The decision, announced today, has raised concerns among local authorities and the Tourism Department, who argue the parking ground is crucial to managing the expected surge in traffic. Thousands of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh utilize the Kumily-Mundakkayam-Erumeli-Pampa route to reach the Sabarimala hill temple.
Kumily panchayat secretary, R. Ashok Kumar, expressed disappointment, stating that the panchayat was prepared to provide temporary facilities for pilgrims at the site. “There are no other parking facilities in the town,” Kumar said. “During the pilgrim season, the town experiences hours-long traffic snarls.”
The Tourism Department also voiced its support for utilizing the parking ground. K.S. Shine, Deputy Director of Tourism, Idukki, noted that the facility was constructed with a ₹5.5 crore Tourism department fund and could accommodate over 350 cars. He added that allowing pilgrim parking would significantly reduce congestion in Kumily town. The Idukki Collector had convened a meeting with various departments to discuss the issue, but the Forest Department maintained its objection.
P.U. Saju, PTR East Deputy Director, defended the decision, citing a 2019 resolution and a recent Supreme Court verdict. Saju argued that diverting the parking ground to another use would undermine its original purpose and violate regulations protecting tiger reserve land. He also stated concerns that Tamil Nadu could challenge the use of the grounds due to relation of Mullaperiyar dam issue.
The lack of a resolution could lead to significant traffic disruptions in Kumily during the peak pilgrimage season, prompting questions about alternative solutions to accommodate the influx of vehicles.
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