Southern Railway’s Chennai Division has issued a strict order prohibiting Sabarimala pilgrims from carrying or lighting camphor (karpuram) inside trains or station premises to prevent fire hazards.
The ban covers railway coaches, platforms, waiting halls, subways, footbridges, and all station areas, extending to candles and lamps as per safety rules, with violators facing action under railway law.
The directive emphasizes that even a small spark from camphor can ignite a major fire in confined train spaces, endangering passengers, fellow devotees, and railway property.
Awareness campaigns target pilgrims, with announcements at stations and intensified surveillance by Railway Protection Force teams.
This comes amid special train operations for the Sabarimala season, including 16 dedicated services from cities like Chennai Egmore and Central to Kollam-Kottayam until January 2026. Authorities urge compliance for safe travel during the pilgrimage peak.