How is Uttarakhand CM Ensuring Smooth Kanwar Yatra Preparations?

Dehradun, July 8 (NationPress) - The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, conducted a crucial meeting through video conferencing on Tuesday with top administrative and police officials to evaluate the preparations for the imminent Kanwar Yatra. This annual religious pilgrimage attracts millions of devotees from across the nation, and the meeting aimed at securing all necessary arrangements.

CM Dhami began the session by reviewing the arrangements from previous years, directing officials to scrutinize any challenges faced regarding law enforcement, traffic control, and crowd management.

“This grand religious congregation must be secure, orderly, and wellsupervised. Effective management of crowds and strong security measures are critical to avert any incidents of vandalism, chaos, or unforeseen events,” he stated.

The Chief Minister instructed the authorities to thoroughly verify all camp operators, staff, volunteers, and individuals residing in hotels and dharamshalas. To bolster safety, he mandated the installation of X-ray scanners, fire extinguishers, fire tenders, and trained personnel at all significant venues.

Highlighting the importance of public health, CM Dhami urged strict supervision of food and drinks, along with effective measures to prevent waterborne diseases.

He also stressed the necessity of utilizing volunteers for crowd management and called for continuous surveillance through CCTV cameras and drones. The intelligence network must remain active throughout the Yatra.

For traffic management, the Chief Minister requested the creation and dissemination of a dedicated mobility plan to ensure minimal inconvenience for devotees.

In light of potential security threats, he ordered the deployment of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and specialized security forces at essential points.

Focusing on medical readiness, Dhami directed that ambulances with backups be stationed at crucial locations such as the Haridwar ghats and Neelkanth Mahadev temple.

He emphasized the need for adequate plainclothes security personnel, trained divers, and water police equipped with disaster management tools to be on standby.

The use of DJs, loudspeakers, and high-decibel sound systems along the Yatra route will be strictly monitored, he added.

Identifying accident-prone “black spots” and implementing corrective actions was also highlighted. Public awareness campaigns will be conducted via pamphlets, hoardings, public announcements, and social media, informing Kanwariyas of the dos and don’ts.

Furthermore, he instructed that Kanwariyas be discouraged from carrying sticks, batons, or sharp objects, while the sale of alcohol, meat, and other intoxicants along the Yatra path will be completely prohibited. With an increasing number of women pilgrims, CM Dhami stressed the importance of dedicated security arrangements at women’s ghats and dharamshalas.

To facilitate improved coordination, the Chief Minister called for enhanced inter-state collaboration, real-time information sharing, social media monitoring, and prompt responses to misinformation or rumors.

All departmental secretaries and Inspector Generals were urged to conduct on-ground inspections within the next three days and finalize detailed action plans for their respective departments.

The meeting saw the participation of Home Secretary Shailesh Bagoli, DGP Deepam Seth, Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, and divisional commissioners from Garhwal and Kumaon, among other senior officials.