Kerala High Court Mandates Urgent Road Safety Measures for Sabarimala Pilgrimage

Court Directs Authorities to Ensure Road Maintenance and Safety Ahead of Mandala-Makaravilakku Festival

In a significant move to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the upcoming Mandala-Makaravilakku Festival, the Kerala High Court has issued a series of directives to various state and national authorities. The judgment, delivered by a bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar, focuses on the urgent need for maintenance and safety measures on the road networks leading to Sabarimala.

The court initiated a suo motu case against the State of Kerala, highlighting the importance of road safety and the need for coordinated efforts to address the dilapidated conditions of roads leading to the holy site. The court emphasized that with the festival set to begin on November 16, 2025, ensuring the safety of the lakhs of pilgrims is paramount.

Key directives include the immediate maintenance of the Achankovil-Konni Road, completion of stalled works on the Muvattupuzha-Punalur State Highway, and the installation of street lighting on critical stretches like the Erumeli-Plappally road. The court also stressed the removal of unauthorized installations that pose a distraction to drivers and pedestrians.

The judgment mandates a comprehensive road safety audit to be conducted by the Road Safety Commissioner, along with strict adherence to road safety standards and the Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017. Emergency preparedness measures, including the deployment of rescue vehicles, and improvements in communication systems were also ordered.

Additionally, the court directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to address maintenance issues at the Food Testing Laboratory in Pamba. The authorities have been given a ten-day deadline to report on the actions taken to comply with the court's directives.

This judgment underscores the judiciary's proactive role in safeguarding public welfare and ensuring the infrastructure is equipped to handle the influx of pilgrims, thereby preventing any potential mishaps during the festival season.

Bottom Line:

Directions issued for urgent maintenance and safety measures of road networks leading to Sabarimala for the Mandala-Makaravilakku Festival 2025-2026 to ensure safe pilgrimage and vehicular movement.

Statutory provision(s): Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017, State Road Safety Policy

Suo Motu v. State of Kerala, (Kerala)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2812323