Kerala Gears Up for Sabarimala Pilgrimage Chaos as Ongoing Roadworks Threaten Massive Traffic Jam

With just days left for the annual Mandala pilgrimage to the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, Central Kerala’s road network is bracing for overwhelming traffic pressure. The convergence of lakhs of devotees and sluggishly executed road projects is expected to create severe logjams, particularly along key highways linking Kerala to neighbouring southern states. Officials and commuters alike warn that this year’s pilgrimage could become one of the most challenging in recent memory.

One of the biggest choke points is expected at Amballoor on the Thrissur–Angamaly stretch of National Highway 544, where the construction of an underpass has significantly slowed traffic. Local leader and lawyer Shaji J. Kodankandath criticised the authorities for failing to complete the project before the pilgrimage season, saying, “There are no functional diversion plans, and most alternative roads are in poor condition.” He warned that the situation would worsen drastically once vehicles from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh begin arriving.

However, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials refuted the allegations, insisting that contingency measures are in place. “Diversion roads have been identified, additional traffic marshals are deployed, and necessary signage has been installed in Amballoor,” an official stated, adding that the responsibility for managing real-time traffic rests with local law enforcement agencies. Despite these assurances, commuters fear that the temporary fixes may not withstand the expected surge of vehicles.

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Further south, the ongoing construction of an elevated highway on the Aroor-Thuravoor section of NH 66 presents another serious bottleneck. The poor condition of nearby alternative routes—such as the Thuravoor-Thycattussery and Thuravoor-Ezhupunna-Kumbalangi coastal roads—has forced most traffic back onto the main National Highway. “The progress is painfully slow,” said Sanoob Aziz, member of the Janakeeya Jagrata Samiti, calling for a “war-footing response” from authorities. Though the NHAI claims 80 percent work completion, officials cited delays in relocating high-tension power lines as the primary cause for the remaining hold-up.

Compounding the issue, the MC Road from Angamaly to Muvattupuzha is also congested due to parallel repair works, with hotspots developing around Kalady and Muvattupuzha town. While the state’s finance department recently sanctioned Rs 377.8 crore for renovating 82 roads, officials admit the benefits will come too late for this pilgrimage. A bypass project for Muvattupuzha Junction has been initiated, but with a six-month study window assigned to consultants, immediate relief seems unlikely. For thousands of Sabarimala devotees planning the sacred journey this season, patience and preparation may be the only practical tools to survive the expected gridlock.

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