Southern Railways warn against lighting camphor on trains during Sabarimala

The Chennai Division of Southern Railway has urged passengers to avoid lighting camphor onboard trains, citing the ongoing Sabarimala pilgrimage season.

“It has been observed that some passengers are in the practice of lighting camphor during their journey, posing a significant risk of fire mishaps. To ensure the safety of rail users and railway property, lighting camphor or any other open flame/fire is strictly prohibited onboard trains and at station premises,” the railways said in a statement.

The railway authorities warned that carrying or using flammable and explosive materials onboard is punishable under Sections 67, 164, and 165 of the Railways Act, 1989. Passengers found in violation could face fines of up to Rs 1,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both. They may also be held liable for damages caused by such actions.

The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, a major pilgrimage site in Kerala, opened for the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival on November 15. The two-month pilgrimage season will continue until January 15.

The first group of devotees from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana began their pilgrimage on November 15. They reached the temple’s Valiya Nadapandal by afternoon.

Authorities have deployed around 14,000 police personnel in five phases to ensure safety across the pilgrimage zone. Parking facilities at Nilackal, a key base camp, were expanded to accommodate 10,000 vehicles, with additional spaces at Pampa for smaller vehicles. Advanced communication systems, including walkie-talkies and troop carriers with repeaters, were introduced to enhance coordination for firefighting and crowd management efforts.