'No Tridents, DJ Height Not More Than 10 Feet': Authorities Tighten Rules For Kanwar Yatra 2025
A high-level interstate coordination committee meeting was held in Haridwar to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of the upcoming Kanwar Yatra 2025. The meeting, chaired by Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan at the CCR auditorium, was attended by senior officials from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Key issues such as traffic management, security arrangements, and social media monitoring were discussed in detail.
Describing the Kanwar Yatra as a grand festival of faith and devotion, Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan emphasised the need for all concerned departments to put robust arrangements in place to make the pilgrimage seamless, simple, and safe. He urged kanwariyas not to carry items like baseball bats or tridents as weapons. He further instructed that DJ setups should not exceed a height of 10 feet and that no competitions should be held between DJs. He stressed the importance of using modern technologies like drones and CCTV to strengthen crowd management and security.
Real-Time Information Sharing
Uttarakhand DGP Deepam Seth noted that the Kanwar Mela brings new challenges each year. He underscored the need for real-time information sharing and immediate countering of rumours. The DGP also mentioned that a list of DJ operators is being compiled and that previous regulations will be strictly enforced. He directed that only skilled personnel should be deployed for interstate coordination. Instructions were also issued to display “dos and don’ts” along the pilgrimage routes.
Traffic Management
Traffic management was a key focus of the discussions. Haridwar SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal and District Magistrate Mayur Dixit presented the traffic management plan via a PowerPoint presentation. Due to the first Monday of Sawan falling on 14 July, vehicles on the National Highway will be diverted starting from 8 a.m. on 11 July. Real-time updates on parking availability and traffic conditions will be shared between Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The BHEL parking area will also be utilised if required.
Social Media Monitoring
UP DIG Abhishek Singh shared details of Uttar Pradesh’s plans for the Yatra. The meeting decided that social media surveillance would be intensified to curb the spread of rumours, and strict action would be taken against those found responsible for misinformation. Officials from Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh will be stationed in each other’s states to facilitate rapid information exchange. SDRF, NDRF, water police, and 60 disaster response volunteers will be deployed at the Ganga ghats. Kanwariyas will also be provided with information about toll-free helplines 112, 1070, and 1077.
Safety Arrangements
The coordination meeting also stressed the need for dhabas and hotels to display rate lists and for strict enforcement of rules related to alcohol and meat consumption. Special measures will be taken in sensitive areas to ensure protection from wildlife. Drone surveillance will monitor crowded locations, roads, and ghats. Experiences from managing the Kanwar Yatra will also be incorporated into preparations for the upcoming Kumbh Mela.
Among the key officials present were Uttar Pradesh’s ADG Bhanu Bhaskar, Home Secretary Mohit Gupta, Meerut Commissioner Rishikesh Bhaskar Yashod, Bareilly Commissioner Soumya Agrawal, Saharanpur DIG Abhishek Singh, and Uttarakhand, ADG, Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, Garhwal IG Rajeev Swaroop, and Dehradun SSP Ajay Singh, along with several other senior officials.
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