The district administration has strengthened security arrangements and traffic management for Bihar's internationally known Shravani Mela by imposing a complete ban on the operation of modified double-decker vehicles during the festival. The administration said the decision has been taken to ensure the safety of millions of Kanwariyas and maintain smooth traffic movement. Special deployment of officials has also been made across the fair area and along the Kanwariya route for continuous monitoring.
Every year during the Shravani Mela, a large number of devotees collect Ganga water from Sultanganj in Bihar and travel on foot to Baba Dham. The movement of millions of Kanwariyas takes place along national and state highways during the festival. According to the administration, the operation of modified double-decker vehicles on congested routes could lead to accidents, prompting the precautionary ban.
Officials said the decision was taken following a review of security arrangements and experiences from previous years. According to the administration, many modified vehicles carry passengers beyond their capacity or have structures that differ from their original design, which may affect road safety. The height, balance and technical condition of such vehicles may also increase the risk of accidents.
The administration stated that joint teams of the Transport Department, district administration and police will inspect vehicles at various check posts throughout the fair period. If any prohibited vehicle or vehicle found violating regulations is detected, action will be taken under the Motor Vehicles Act and other applicable provisions.
Separate responsibilities have been assigned to different departments for the successful conduct of the Shravani Mela. Officials have been deployed for traffic management, health services, drinking water supply, sanitation, electricity, disaster management and security arrangements. Additional police personnel, magistrates and CCTV surveillance are also being deployed at sensitive locations.
Barricading, directional signboards, control rooms and help desks will be established along the Kanwariya route for crowd management. The administration said its objective is to ensure that devotees have a safe and orderly journey and receive immediate assistance in any emergency.
The Health Department has completed preparations for deploying first-aid centres, ambulances and medical teams across the fair area. Special arrangements are being made to address heat-related illness, fatigue and other health issues. Fire services and disaster management teams will also remain on alert during the festival.
The Transport Department has appealed to vehicle drivers and operators to comply with the administration's guidelines, refrain from operating prohibited vehicles, and follow designated routes and schedules. Devotees have also been requested to use only authorised and safe vehicles.
The administration said security remains its highest priority during the annual religious event, which attracts millions of devotees. Monitoring arrangements have therefore been further strengthened. Senior officials will conduct periodic inspections of the fair area and various routes while continuously reviewing traffic and security arrangements.
The administration said there will be no compromise on the safety of devotees. It added that strict action will be taken against drivers and operators violating regulations during the fair period. Officials have been directed to maintain continuous monitoring throughout the event to ensure that the Shravani Mela is conducted peacefully, safely and in an orderly manner.
