Kerala High Court Issues Guidelines For Crowd Management During Religious Festival, Traffic Regulation & Post-Event Restoration
The Court held that while religious practices must be respected, organisers and authorities are duty-bound to ensure that festivals do not obstruct public movement or compromise safety, and mandated a structured regulatory framework.
The Kerala High Court issued comprehensive guidelines governing the conduct of festivals in religious institutions across the State, holding that effective crowd management, traffic regulation, and coordination among authorities are essential to prevent public inconvenience and safety hazards.
The Court clarified that the guidelines are intended not to restrict religious practices but to streamline them in a manner that ensures safety, convenience, and orderly conduct for devotees and the general public.
The Court was hearing a writ petition concerning obstruction of public roads and traffic disruptions caused during temple festival processions, particularly affecting emergency services and public movement.
A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar observed: “These guidelines are not intended to impede the sentiments of devotees nor to restrict their religious practices; rather, they are established to enhance the efficiency… and to facilitate a hassle-free experience.”
The petitioner was represented by Advocate K.V. Rashmi, while the respondents were represented by S. Rajmohan, Senior Government Pleader.
Background
The writ petition was filed raising concerns regarding recurring obstruction of public roads during religious processions, particularly the ‘kavadi’ procession conducted as part of temple festivals. It was contended that such processions blocked ingress and egress on major roads, caused traffic congestion, and created serious impediments for emergency services such as ambulances and fire engines.
The Court noted that festivals in religious institutions across Kerala often attract large gatherings, which, if not properly managed, may lead to hazards such as stampedes, accidents, and law and order issues. It further observed that the lack of coordination between organisers, police, and local authorities contributes significantly to these problems.
Emphasising statutory obligations, the Court referred to the Kerala Public Ways (Restriction of Assemblies and Processions) Act, 2011, which guarantees the right of the public to unobstructed movement and prohibits obstruction of public ways by assemblies or processions.
The Court also highlighted the responsibility of organisers, observing: “The primary responsibility for ensuring the safe conduct of festivals… lies with the event organisers… without infringing upon the rights of others.”
Court’s Observation
The Court undertook a comprehensive analysis of issues relating to crowd management, noting that large congregations beyond the carrying capacity of venues create risks to public safety and order. It emphasised that both organisers and law enforcement agencies must act proactively.
It observed: “Whenever such institutions decide to conduct festivals… it becomes their foremost duty to make necessary arrangements… ensuring that participants and the public… do not face any hardships.”
The Court further noted systemic deficiencies such as a lack of advance intimation, absence of proper parking facilities, and inadequate planning, which aggravate congestion and safety risks.
Highlighting the duty of police, the Court reiterated: “It is the duty of the Police to maintain law and order, public order and the prevention of crimes, whenever the people assemble in large numbers.”
In this backdrop, the Court framed a structured set of guidelines under three stages, before, during, and after the festival, to ensure comprehensive regulation.
Guidelines Issued By The Court
Before the conduct of the festival, the Court mandated that organisers must provide advance intimation of all festival details, including date, procession routes, timings, and programme schedule, to the District Police Chief at least three weeks in advance to enable proper planning and coordination.
Upon receipt of such intimation, the District Police Chief is required to designate a responsible officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police to oversee law and order during the festival.
The designated officer must conduct site inspections, consult organisers, local authorities, and even residents’ associations, and prepare an action plan for the smooth conduct of the event. The officer is also required to ensure adequate parking arrangements, including the use of public or private spaces to prevent roadside congestion.
During the festival, the Court directed strict traffic management measures. The designated officer must prevent parking on roads near festival sites, ensure crowd control through regulated entry and exit points, and maintain clear pathways for emergency services such as ambulances.
The Court further directed that footpaths must not be encroached upon by temporary commercial structures, and instead, alternative designated spaces should be provided to vendors to avoid congestion.
Special emphasis was placed on safety and dignity, with directions to create separate viewing areas for women and children. The Court also mandated strict adherence to environmental norms, requiring segregation and proper disposal of plastic and biodegradable waste in accordance with the green protocol.
Additionally, adequate police deployment, including women police personnel and armed battalions where necessary, was directed to ensure effective crowd control and law enforcement.
After the culmination of the festival, the Court directed organisers, with assistance from local authorities, to restore the venue to its original condition within twenty-four hours, including proper cleaning and waste management in compliance with environmental guidelines.
Conclusion
The Court disposed of the writ petition by issuing the above comprehensive guidelines, holding that coordinated action by organisers and authorities is essential to ensure that religious festivals are conducted safely without infringing upon public rights.
The Court further directed that a copy of the judgment be forwarded to the State Police Chief for dissemination among subordinate officers and to all Devaswom Boards, which in turn must circulate the directions to institutions under their control for strict compliance.
Cause Title: A.M. Udayan v. State of Kerala & Ors. (Neutral Citation: 2026:KER:17163)
Appearances
Petitioner: K.V. Rashmi, Advocate
Respondents: S. Rajmohan, Senior Government Pleader for the State; G. Santhosh Kumar, Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board.