Ensure Emergency Evacuation Routes During Temple Festivals and Religious Ceremonies
Mangaluru: The Navaratri celebrations at Kudroli Gokarnanath Temple in Mangaluru witnessed a massive gathering of devotees today, particularly in view of the visit by the Chief Minister.
At around 8.30 pm, a person residing within the temple premises suffered a heart attack. Due to the overwhelming crowd, it was impossible to take a four-wheeler into the area. In a desperate attempt to save his life, the patient’s son and sister transported him on a motorcycle, with the patient seated between them, struggling to navigate through the crowd to reach a hospital.
The patient subsequently underwent angioplasty at a nearby hospital and is now reported to be stable.
This incident highlights a crucial public safety concern. Every major temple, festival venue, and crowded public gathering must have a dedicated emergency access and evacuation route that remains clear at all times for ambulances and rescue vehicles.
Religious celebrations are important, but access to emergency medical care must never be compromised. Even a delay of a few minutes during a heart attack can have serious consequences.
I urge temple authorities, the police, the district administration and event organisers to make emergency access and evacuation planning mandatory at all major public gatherings.
Let devotion and celebration go hand in hand with the protection of human life.
Dr. Padmanabh Kamath
Senior Interventional Cardiologist
KMC, Mangaluru
