(1.) The Special Commissioner, Sabarimala has filed this SSCR regarding the functioning of the Safe Zone Project, Sabarimala, during Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season of 1199 ME (2023-24), pursuant to the directions contained in the order of this Court dtd. 25/8/2023 in SSCR No.20 of 2021.
(2.) On 31/5/2024, when this SSCR came up for consideration along with SSCR No.29 of 2023 filed by the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala regarding crowd management and other matters at Sabarimala; and SSCR No.36 of 2023 filed by the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala regarding the steps to be taken to provide adequate facilities for the pilgrims at Sabarimala Edathavalams, this Court passed a detailed order. In paragraph 31 of the order dtd. 31/5/2024 in SSCR Nos.29, 30 and 36 of 2023 - Suo Motu v. State of Kerala [2024 KHC OnLine 438 : 2024:IO:KER:13] - this court issued various directions [Para.31(i) to (x)], whereby the Transport Commissioner, Kerala, through the Enforcement Officers in the Motor Vehicles Department, and the State Police Chief, through the District Police Chief of the concerned Districts, were directed to take necessary steps to prevent the use of contract carriages and other motor vehicles in any public place, violating the standards prescribed in relation to road safety, control of noise and air pollution. The order dtd. 31/5/2024 was followed by the order dtd. 7/6/2024 in SSCR Nos.29, 30 and 36 of 2023.
(3.) On 7/6/2024, we have viewed in open Court a video clipping regarding a motor accident, which occurred on 24/12/2023, involving a contract carriage bearing Reg.No.TN-25/AD-2635, which was carrying Sabarimala pilgrims. That video was taken while the officials in the Motor Vehicles Department, who are part of Safe Zone Project, Sabarimala, along with the police and the local residents, were involved in the rescue operations. The screenshots taken from that video clipping are reproduced hereunder;