Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala high court has rejected the petition seeking entry of private vehicles from other states to Pamba. The Kerala high court said the state government has a master plan and it will function accordingly. 

The government had decided against allowing more vehicles into Pamba in order to protect and preserve Sabarimala. Nilakkal is the base camp. And as of now, we can’t accept the petition for allowing more vehicles in Pamba, said the court.  

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The  Kerala State Road Transport Corporation  (KSRTC) has hiked their fare by Rs 9 this year. Rs 40 for non-AC buses and Rs 75 for AC buses plying from Nilakkal to Pamba during the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season.

However, the petitioners had argued that if KSRTC buses could go up to Pamba, vehicles from other states could also go. Earlier Ayyappa Seva Samajam was ready to provide free travel for Sabarimala pilgrims. Ayyappa Seva Samajam approached  Devaswom Board and the high court, pointing out that they were ready to run 150 buses free from Nilakkal to Pamba. 

The Ayyappa Seva Samajam is also ready to bring buses from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states for free. The KSRTC's additional charge to the pilgrims made the Ayyappa Seva Samajam arrive at this new decision.