KUALA LUMPUR: Around 1.8 million people have visited Batu Caves for Thaipusam celebrations since February 1 up till noon of Tuesday (Feb 11).
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Devasthanam (SMMTD) trustee Datuk N. Sivakumar said the number included international and local tourists as well as government agencies.
About 3,000 temple volunteers were stationed to manage the crowd. This includes 1,400 medical personnel.
“This year's crowds have been at least 20% bigger than the previous year.
“We also anticipate the total number will rise further with another significant influx of visitors this Tuesday evening,” he stated.
There are also about 350 vendors here, added Sivakumar.
Regarding waste management, Sivakumar noted that the temple staff are striving to maintain a tidy environment, but they are feeling overwhelmed by the influx of visitors.
“We have already placed a number of rubbish bins in and around the grounds, but they were filled very quickly.
“Combined with the crowded streets, makes it a challenge for us to clear the overfilled rubbish bins constantly, but we will continue to do our best,” he said.
