{
  "id": 13968976,
  "title": "TDB to tighten checks on parking fees, essential prices in Keralam’s Erumely",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/tdb-to-tighten-checks-on-parking-fees-essential-prices-in-keralams",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T13:45:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/tdb-to-tighten-checks-on-parking-fees-essential-prices-in-keralams-erumely/article71574983.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) plans to intensify inspections at Erumely in Kottayam to prevent overcharging of Sabarimala pilgrims for parking, restrooms, and essential goods during the upcoming Mandala-Makaravilakku season. At a meeting on Monday, TDB president K. Jayakumar announced plans to strengthen inspections with special squads and consider involving the Motor Vehicles department in monitoring parking areas and regulating fees charged by contractors. The board will also focus on improving waste management and expanding spot booking for pilgrims' darshan from Erumely. The TDB directly manages five parking grounds in Erumely, while the rest are privately operated. Violations of revised conditions could result in contract cancellations, according to Jayakumar. They will scrutinize charges for restroom facilities and prices of food and other necessities to avoid overcharging pilgrims. The meeting also discussed the potential use of land at Perurthodu, currently under the Forest department, as a hub for pilgrims. The board will consult the Forest and Police departments to allow more pilgrims to utilize the traditional forest trekking route from Erumely. Other measures include temporarily using an unfinished building near the temple and increasing the daily capacity for Annadanam from 4,500 to more pilgrims. The panchayat is also preparing for the season, focusing on waste management, shop licensing, street lighting, and sanitation. The board will help clear waste from its land. Pilots requiring temporary shops must obtain a Police Clearance Certificate.",
  "summary": "The board will also intensify waste management and increase the capacity for spot booking for Sabarimala darshan from Erumely, says TDB chief",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}