The decision was taken at a meeting to review arrangements for the Attukal Pongala festival, which was to be held from February 23 to March 4. Minister for General Education and Labor V. Sivankutty chaired the meeting, which was attended by officials from various departments.
A total of 3,640 police personnel will be deployed on Pongala Day (March 3).
Police officials wanted the temple premises to be divided into two sectors and crowd control on Pongala day using barricades instead of ropes. It was also proposed that the main stage should not be oriented towards the road but towards the terrain.
A 24-hour medical team with pediatric specialists will also be deployed in connection with the Pongala. Ambulances are parked at ten locations. A medical control room will function 24 hours a day on the temple premises. Due to the threat of burns, 10% of beds in hospitals near the temple will be reserved for such cases, if any.
The fire and rescue services will operate a control room on all ten days of the festival.
Nearly 3,500 workers will be deployed for clean-up operations related to the Pongala.
The day before the Pongala, water is transported in 27 tankers.
Nearly 200 volunteer organizations that will supply food on Pongala day have been instructed to strictly follow the green protocol.
Canals and drains in 16 Corporation wards near the temple will be cleaned. Kerala State Electricity Board will operate a 24-hour control room. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation will operate 800 special services. As many as 250 tour packages from northern districts will be offered as part of pilgrim tourism. Special trains and extra trains will also run.
On March 3, the fire in the main fireplace is lit at 9:45 am. The Nivedyam will be held at 2.15 pm
Food and Civil Supplies Minister GR Anil, Deputy Mayor Asha Nath GS, ward councilors and office bearers of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trust attended the meeting.
Published – Jan 3, 2026 9:07 PM IST
#Green #protocol #strengthened #Attukal #Pongala