Three parking grounds to be set up in Kumily for Sabarimala pilgrims

IDUKKI With another Sabarimala pilgrimage season around the corner, the Kumily grama panchayat—one of the major stopovers for Sabarimala pilgrims—is preparing to set up three designated parking grounds in the town. Kumily, located in Idukki district along the Keralam–Tamil Nadu border, serves as a crucial interstate transit hub for the pilgrimage to the hill shrine. According to officials, lakhs of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Puducherry, and Telangana use the Kumily route each year.

In previous seasons, a severe shortage of designated parking space has led to hours-long traffic gridlocks across the town. Kumily panchayat president M.M. Varghese stated that the local body has already identified three sites to ensure streamlined vehicle management.

“The panchayat will strictly prohibit roadside parking,” Mr. Varghese said. “To protect the interests of local traders, vehicles will be permitted to drop pilgrims off in front of commercial establishments, but drivers must immediately move their vehicles to the designated parking areas.