5 mn additional pilgrims in Sabarimala

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 11: Additional police force had been rushed to Sabarimala hill shrine in view of the heavy rush of pilgrims, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said.

Briefing newspersons after a meeting of the state cabinet, Mr Achuthanandan said the arrival of five million additional pilgrims to the famed shrine has seriously affected the distribution of 'aravana prasadam' and other arrangements.

He said the arrival of pilgrims from neighbouring states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh had registered a steep increase this year.

''Though we have made all arrangements as per the pilgrim arrival last year, the increase in pilgrims flow has upset the arrangements,'' he added.

UNI