With just hours remaining for the Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala, preparations are in full swing. Nearly one lakh pilgrims are camping at Sannidhanam and nearby areas, said K. Jayakumar, Travancore Devaswom Board president. Pilgrims continue to arrive through the Erumely forest route. Police are on high alert to manage the crowds. Viewing of Makarajyothi from Thirumuttam and flyovers is strictly limited. Only pilgrims with special photo identity passes from the TDB can stay here. These passes are non-transferable. Pilgrims have been advised against crowding on return routes after Makarajyothi darshan. Additional KSRTC buses will run from Pampa to ease the return journey, Mr. Jayakumar said. A full review of this pilgrimage and planning for next year will happen on February 6 with all involved departments. For security, around 2,000 police personnel are deployed across the pilgrimage zone. The Health department placed about 50 doctors, including specialists, at hospitals in Sannidhanam, Pampa, Neelimala, Appachimedu, Charalmedu, and Nilackal. A reserve list of doctors is ready for emergencies. Medical support is boosted with 19 more ambulances, totaling 46. Of these, 14 ambulances work at Makarajyothi viewing points, while five are stationed at Pampa and Nilackal. Seventeen emergency medical centers are set up along the trek from Pampa to Sannidhanam. A 24-hour control room operates to coordinate stretcher and ambulance services. Meanwhile, tension rose at Erumely on Tuesday. Police stopped vehicles headed for Sabarimala from 1:30 p.m. due to overcrowding. Pilgrims, many from other states, protested by staging sit-ins and chanting slogans against the vehicle restrictions.