CM Dhami Reviews Kanwar Mela 2025 Preparations via Video Conference

Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami held a review meeting on Tuesday with administrative and police officials via video conferencing to assess preparations for the upcoming Kanwar Mela 2025.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister reviewed arrangements from previous years, analyzing the challenges to law and order and instructed officials to ensure corrective measures so that past incidents are not repeated. He emphasized the importance of effective crowd control, traffic management, and security measures to prevent any acts of vandalism, disturbances, or other untoward incidents during this major religious gathering.

CM Dhami instructed for the complete verification of camp organizers, workers, volunteers, and individuals staying in hotels and dharamshalas. He also directed that X-ray systems, fire extinguishers, fire tenders, and personnel be deployed at all major locations. Strict monitoring of the quality of food and beverages, along with preventive measures for waterborne diseases, was also stressed.

The Chief Minister suggested involving volunteers for crowd management, ensuring constant surveillance through CCTV and drones, and activating the intelligence network. He instructed the development and wide dissemination of a separate traffic management plan to avoid inconvenience to pilgrims. In view of potential terror threats, deployment of ATS and special security forces was also ordered.

Further, the CM called for ambulance and backup facilities at Haridwar ghats, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, and other key sites. He instructed for adequate deployment of male and female security personnel in plain clothes and keeping divers and water police with disaster relief equipment on alert.

CM Dhami also directed that the use of loudspeakers, DJs, and high-volume sound systems be regulated along the yatra routes. Black spots should be identified and corrected to prevent accidents. Do’s and Don’ts for Kanwar pilgrims should be communicated through pamphlets, hoardings, public announcements, and social media.

A campaign is to be launched to prevent Kanwar pilgrims from carrying sticks, rods, or sharp objects. Strict enforcement of bans on the sale of narcotics, alcohol, and meat along the yatra routes was also ordered, along with ensuring basic amenities like electricity, water, and healthcare.

Considering the increasing number of female Kanwar pilgrims, special security arrangements should be made at women’s bathing ghats and dharamshalas. The CM directed enhanced inter-state coordination for timely information exchange, close monitoring of social media, immediate action against rumor mongers, and prompt clarification of misleading posts.

Finally, the CM instructed all departmental secretaries and inspectors general of police to conduct field inspections of the Kanwar Mela areas within the next three days, review the preparations, and finalize departmental work plans.

Present in the meeting were Home Secretary Shri Shailesh Bagauli, Director General of Police Shri Deepam Seth, Disaster Management Secretary Shri Vinod Kumar Suman, commissioners of Garhwal and Kumaon, and other senior officials.

— Information and Public Relations Department