The Kanwar Yatra festival is being celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout North India. In light of the lakhs of Kanwariyas (devotees) returning with water from Haridwar, the administration in Delhi-NCR is fully prepared regarding security and traffic management. Strict arrangements have been made to ensure that this pilgrimage, which will continue until July 22nd in the capital Delhi, is conducted peacefully and in an organized manner.
Increased Security in Sensitive Areas
Delhi Police has increased security in sensitive areas of the capital. Approximately 5,000 Delhi police personnel and 50 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed. CCTV cameras and drones are being used to monitor the Kanwar routes. Special vigilance is being maintained at temples, major intersections, and crowded areas. All DCPs of the districts have been instructed to be present in their areas regularly and keep a close watch on the situation.
Traffic Route Diversions
Delhi Traffic Police has implemented traffic diversions on several routes due to the Kanwar Yatra. Partial restrictions have been imposed, particularly on Kalindi Kunj, Noida, Badarpur, and Agra Canal routes. The administration has appealed to people not to use these routes unnecessarily and to use alternative routes such as the DND Flyway or Ashram Road.
Additional Vigilance Due to Rainfall
Considering the heavy rainfall in Delhi-NCR, the administration has taken extra precautions. Special teams have been deployed to prevent waterlogging and accidents. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has kept medical teams, water tankers, and disaster relief units ready to provide immediate relief in any emergency.
Identification of 774 Camps
Keeping in mind the convenience of the Kanwariyas, 774 locations in Delhi have been identified for setting up camps. Of these, 374 camps have been approved, where essential facilities like accommodation, drinking water, and medical assistance are being provided. The approval process for the remaining camps is ongoing.
Strict Measures in Mathura and Haridwar
In Mathura, the DM and SSP are personally monitoring the Kanwar Yatra by being present on the roads. Special attention is being given to cleanliness and crowd control. 16 PRVs (Police Response Vehicles) and 4 mobile teams are continuously patrolling. Meanwhile, in Haridwar, four Kanwariyas have been arrested in two separate incidents during the Kanwar Yatra. Two of them had pelted stones at the police, and two had vandalized a shop.
Supreme Court Notice
In Kanpur, a procession taken out during the Kanwar Yatra caused a commotion, in which a home guard and two others were injured. The police have arrested five people and identified 20 others through CCTV. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has issued a notice to the UP government challenging the policy of installing QR codes with owner information on shops along the Kanwar route. The petitioner has called it a violation of religious discrimination and the right to privacy.
FIR Against Teacher in Bareilly
In Bareilly, a school teacher was accused of singing a song that hurt the religious sentiments of the Kanwar Yatra. However, investigations revealed that the video was old and was spread misleadingly.
The routes designated for the entry of Kanwariyas in Delhi include Ghaziabad Border, Anand Vihar, Bopura, Apsara, Loni Border, and Kashmiri Gate. Wazirabad, GT Road, and Loni Road have been marked as major Kanwar routes. Helpline numbers have also been issued to assist needy Kanwariyas.
Focus on Monitoring and Coordination
The administration's priority is that no untoward incident occurs during the yatra and that devotees reach their destinations without any inconvenience. PCR vans, quick response teams, and ambulances have been put on alert for this. Strict arrangements for coordination and monitoring have been made to ensure that the Kanwar Yatra remains not only safe but also smooth.
