How will Penang manage the expected one million Thaipusam devotees?

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Penang Prepares for One Million Thaipusam Devotees with Enhanced Safety and Accessibility Measures

Penang anticipates over one million Hindu devotees and tourists for the upcoming Thaipusam festival on February 1. To manage this large influx, the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB), in collaboration with police and other agencies, is implementing detailed preparations focused on safety and accessibility. A new special transport service has been introduced to assist elderly and disabled devotees, ensuring their safe participation in religious rituals.
Special Transport Service for Vulnerable Devotees

The PHEB and the Thanneermalai Shree Balathandayuthapani Temple have launched a dedicated transport service to ferry elderly devotees and persons with disabilities directly to the hilltop temple. This initiative utilises four 4WD vehicles and involves 40 volunteers. On the service's launch day, 60 elderly and disabled visitors were transported, a significant increase from last year when volunteers manually carried individuals up the temple steps.
Prioritising Safety and Health

The introduction of the special transport service is a key measure aimed at enhancing the safety of attendees. It is designed to prevent injuries that could occur on the steep temple stairs, particularly for those with mobility challenges. Furthermore, the service seeks to reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission, such as influenza, among vulnerable groups of devotees during the crowded festival period.
Anticipated Crowd Numbers and Collaboration

Authorities project that the crowd size could exceed the one million recorded last year, especially with the festival spanning from Saturday to Monday, with the peak expected on Sunday, February 1. The PHEB is actively coordinating with the police and various other agencies to manage this large-scale, state-level event. Increased tourist numbers, particularly from India, are also anticipated due to the resumption of direct flights between Chennai and Penang.

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How will Penang manage the expected one million Thaipusam devotees?

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