Erumeli: In the past 24 days, around 1.05 lakh pilgrims have travelled on KSRTC buses from Erumeli to Sabarimala, significantly increasing the corporation’s revenue. KSRTC’s Erumeli depot has collected Rs 86.16 lakh as revenue till Tuesday, Rs 20 lakh more than it collected last year. 

Eighteen buses run services from Erumeli to Pampa. These buses have already completed 2,278 trips.

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Accident prone route
Complaints have been rife that the major roads in Sabarimala are prone to accidents. The steep curve at the Valavunkal area on the Peroothod-Irumboonnikara-Thumarampara-Elivalikkara-Mukkoottuthara Road, which is used as a bypass road by the devotees coming from Mundakkayam, is quite dangerous. However, there aren’t any warning signs or crash barriers here. The curve at Chapath region, too, could pose a danger to vehicles.

Highway isn’t safe
The cuttings and curves on the Mukkampetti—Koruthod highway, between Mukkampetti and Kalaketty, often cause accidents. The road caved in after mud from the side was washed away in the rain, and vehicles passing through might get trapped. Three vehicles have already been involved in accidents in this area.

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MVD lists accident-prone black spots
In a recently released multi-language video, the Motor Vehicle Department lists a handful of accident-prone black spots on the way to Sabarimala. These are the spots where accidents have occurred numerous times in the previous years. Here is the list of the risky spots:
1) Laha big curve (Valiyavalavu) (23 km into Sabarimala from Pathanamthitta)
2) The Vilakkuvanchi curve (2 km after Laha) descends and curves together. Do not drive your vehicle in neutral gear at the downhill section to save fuel at this point, as it can be dangerous. 
3) Laha small curve (Cheriyavalavu) (2 km after Vilakkuvanchi): It's a hairpin-shaped curve.

4) Plappally (11 km after Llaha cheriyavalavu)
5) Mukkoottuthara (At the 7 km point from Erumeli to Sabarimala
6) Kanamala 8 kms from Mukkoottuthara
7) Thulappally (3 km from Kanamala)
8) Pambanar (12 km from Vandiperiyar)
9) Peerumedu (2 km from Pambanar)
10) Kuttikkanam ( 7 km from Peerumedu)
11) Valanjanganam (4 km from Kuttikkanam)
12) Murinjapuzha ( 5 km from Valanjanganam)

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13) Kaduvappara
14) Pulluppara
15) Peruvanthanam
16) Kodikuthy
17) 35th mile
18) Attathodu (49 km from Pathanamthitta to Sabarimala
19) Planthodu ( 7kms from Attathodu)
20) Pothumkuzhi
21) Chalakkayam (5 km after Pothumkuzhi)

The MVD has established Sabarimala safe zone control rooms at Ilavunkal, Erumely, and Kuttikkanam to offer 24/7 emergency support to pilgrims. Pilgrims can access emergency help through safe zone helpline numbers, which provide breakdown assistance, crane recovery, and ambulance support from all major vehicle manufacturers. Sabarimala safe zone control room numbers- Ilavunkal: 9400044991: 9562318181; Erumely: 9496367974: 8547639173; Kuttikkanam : 9446037100: 8547639176. Email: safezonesabarimala@gmail.com.
(With inputs from Onmanorama Staff)

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