Balitharpanam ritual under tight security

Thiruvananthapuram: In view of coastal erosion due to rough weather, district collector Geromic George has given sanction to carry out balitharpanam under tight security at Shanghumugham beach. Arrangements for the ceremony are to be made at a small area near Kalmandapam near the North Palace.
The collector had earlier ordered an inquiry to check whether the ceremony would be possible this year at the beach.Accordingly, on the basis of the report given by the tehsildar and the deputy commissioner of police, the collector gave permission for the ceremony to be held with restrictions.
He has instructed various departments to conduct the ritual with strict security. Barricades are to be arranged on both sides of the stone pavilion.
A maximum of 30 people will be allowed at a time to carry out the ritual through a token system. Bathing in the sea is not allowed and barricades would be arranged to prevent this.
The services of police, fire and rescue and medical team should be ensured. Traffic from All Saints, Veli, Airport and Valiyathura would be controlled to resolve congestion in the area.
The district collector's order also said that in case of red and orange weather warnings or if there is any erosion of the existing coast, the permission to conduct the ritual will be cancelled.