Kerala: Companies interested in insurance scheme for Sabarimala pilgrims: Travancore Devaswom Board

Thiruvananthapuram: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has received a positive response from insurance companies to its plan to introduce insurance coverage for pilgrims visiting the hill shrine at Sabarimala. According to TDB chairman P S Prashanth, recent meetings with some insurance companies have provided important information about the market. “The insurance provider will be selected through a competitive and fair process, the next step will be to invite expression of interest (EOI) from companies. The firm offering maximum benefits at the lowest premium will be selected,” Prashanth said. He highlighted that most of the deaths recorded at the hill shrine and its premises were due to non-accidental causes such as cardiac arrest and respiratory problems. “Around 55 people lost their lives during the last pilgrimage season itself. For the past few years, the TDB has been providing accidental death insurance coverage for pilgrims. However, every year, most of the deaths occur due to non-accidental reasons, and hence, the families of the victims could not be compensated,” Prashanth said. Till the last pilgrimage season, the insurance coverage for pilgrims was provided in partnership with United India Insurance Company. The board paid an annual premium for a scheme that offered limited benefits. It offered a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for accidental deaths at Sabarimala and its premises. With regard to other deaths, Rs 30,000 was allocated for ambulance costs within the state and Rs 50,000 for those outside the state. Now, the board aims to introduce a new insurance scheme where pilgrims can opt for the coverage by paying a one-time premium of up to Rs 10 while booking darshan through the virtual queue system. The Board aims to provide insurance cover of around Rs 5 lakh under this new scheme, so that the pilgrims can get more benefits.