Kerala: New Exit Bridge Proposed On Sannidhanam–Marakoottam Path To Ease Pilgrim Flow At Sabarimala

In the sacred shadow of Sabarimala’s hills, a new bridge is poised to rise along the Sannidhanam–Marakoottam path in Kerala, a passage designed to ease the post-darshan journey of lakhs of devotees.

Envisioned as part of the temple’s evolving infrastructure, the project is estimated to cost between Rs 50 and Rs 100 crore, with funding to be shared by the Kerala government and the Sabarimala Master Plan Committee, according to a report by Mathrubumi .

This “exit bridge” is envisioned as part of a broader effort to manage the overwhelming post-darshan rush at the sacred hill shrine.

Devotees, upon completing darshan at Sannidhanam and Malikappuram and receiving prasadam from counters near the Annadanam Hall, will be guided through this one-way bridge to exit the temple complex—streamlining movement and reducing congestion in the temple premises.

The bridge will start near the water treatment plant at Sannidhanam and connect to the path between Marakoottam and Jyothi Nagar, covering a length of 360 metres.

The proposed bridge's route will pass through steep gradients and forested terrain.

Whether it will stand on raised pillars or adopt suspended design will be decided after a Detailed Project Report is submitted by infrastructure consultancy agency TERMS.

The proposal draws from earlier recommendations of a high-level committee.

A temporary Bailey bridge built by the Army had failed to manage crowd control effectively during past pilgrimages.

In parallel, the Travancore Devaswom Board has proposed a ropeway from Pamba Hilltop to Sannidhanam, aimed at transporting goods and serving as an emergency air ambulance route.