CM Dhami Reviews Preparations for Kanwar Mela 2025 with Senior Officials

Focus on Clean, Green & Safe Pilgrimage; Launch of Uttarakhand Kanwar Seva App Directed for Better Coordination

Dehradun/Haridwar : Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted a high-level review meeting on Thursday at the Mela Control Building in Haridwar to assess the preparations for the upcoming Kanwar Mela 2025. The meeting included top officials from the district administration, police, and other departments. The Chief Minister issued key directives to ensure the smooth, safe, and efficient execution of the annual pilgrimage, which is expected to see a massive influx of devotees from across India.

In a significant announcement, CM Dhami instructed the development of a dedicated Uttarakhand Kanwar Seva App. This app will store all essential information and data about pilgrims, aiding real-time coordination and improving safety measures during the yatra. It is planned to be used for subsequent years as well.

Calling this year’s Kanwar Yatra a “trial run” for the upcoming Kumbh Mela, the Chief Minister emphasized that the learnings from this mega pilgrimage would be crucial for managing the even larger event ahead.

Key Directions and Initiatives:

1. Interstate Coordination and Data Sharing:
CM Dhami stressed strong coordination with states from where most Kanwar pilgrims arrive. He asked officials to establish real-time data sharing and exchange of security-related inputs with their counterparts in these states.

2. Anti-Encroachment Drive and Regulation of Facilities:
The Chief Minister ordered the removal of all encroachments along the Kanwar routes before the yatra begins. He also directed that all roadside eateries and hotels must display mandatory food licenses and rate charts. The names of the establishments and their owners must be visibly marked. Any complaints regarding overpricing should be dealt with strictly.

3. Strict Compliance on Prohibited Items:
The Chief Minister reiterated that SOPs regarding the ban on alcohol and meat must be strictly enforced throughout the Kanwar route.

4. Clean and Green Yatra Campaign:
CM Dhami underlined that this year’s yatra should spread the message of a “Clean and Green Kanwar Yatra.”

• Hourly cleaning drives will be conducted on the entire Kanwar stretch.
• Mobile toilets and waste disposal vehicles will be deployed every 12 km in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Roorkee, and nearby areas.
• Sanitation will remain a top priority.

5. Health and Emergency Services:
Health centres, ambulances, and medical staff must be available every 2 to 3 kilometres. Helpline numbers will also be issued to provide timely assistance to pilgrims.

6. Shelter, Water, and Basic Amenities:
Temporary night shelters, tent cities, and resting shelters will be set up with support from local municipal bodies.
RO tankers and water ATMs will be arranged along the route to ensure clean drinking water availability.

7. Parking and Crowd Management:
Based on previous years’ experience, CM Dhami directed the arrangement of additional parking zones to handle the expected surge in pilgrims.

8. Fake News and Social Media Monitoring:
Strict action will be taken against individuals or groups spreading rumours or misinformation on social media related to the yatra.

9. Dos and Don’ts Signage for Pilgrims:
Clear and visible boards outlining what to do and what not to do during the Kanwar Yatra will be placed throughout the pilgrimage route.

10. Surveillance and Technology-Driven Security:
The CM directed the installation of CCTV cameras and drone-based surveillance along the Kanwar routes.

• A GIS-based traffic plan and an AI-driven traffic monitoring system will be implemented.
• Enhanced security arrangements will be ensured at sensitive ghats through strengthened announcement systems.

11. Disaster Preparedness:
To handle any potential natural disasters, SDRF and NDRF teams will be deployed. A rainfall and landslide early warning system will also be activated.

12. Lost & Found Centres:
The number of lost-and-found centres in Haridwar will be increased to help track missing individuals efficiently.

Mela Structure and Timeline:

Haridwar District Magistrate Mayur Dikshit informed that Kanwar Mela 2025 will be held from July 11 to July 23. The entire event area has been divided into 16 super zones, 37 zones, and 134 sectors to streamline administration and security.
Separate traffic plans have been drawn up for local residents, Char Dham pilgrims, and Kanwar devotees to avoid congestion.

Dignitaries Present:

The meeting was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Kalpana Saini, MLAs Madan Kaushik, Pradeep Batra, Adesh Chauhan, Mamta Rakesh, District Panchayat Chairperson Kiran Chaudhary, Haridwar Mayor Kiran Jaisal, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, DGP Deepam Seth, Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, R. Meenakshi Sundaram, and Secretaries Nitesh Jha, Pankaj Pandey, Vinod Kumar Suman, and Vinay Shankar Pandey.
Former Cabinet Minister Swami Yatishwaranand, Vice Chairman of the State Disaster Management Authority Vinay Ruhela, and state-level ministers Om Prakash Jamdagni, Shobharam Prajapati, Sunil Saini, Shyamvir Saini, Jaipal Singh Chauhan, Deshraj Karnwal, President of Shri Ganga Sabha Nitin Gautam, and BJP district president Ashutosh Sharma were also in attendance.

– Department of Information and Public Relations, Uttarakhand