Officials Must Go to the Field, No Devotee Should Face Inconvenience: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

Lucknow, Jan 2026 : Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath Ji on Friday evening, in view of the upcoming festivals and Magh Mela, held a high-level security and administrative review meeting via video conferencing with senior officials of the concerned districts. In the meeting, the Chief Minister clarified that the safety, convenience, and smooth conduct for devotees is the highest priority of the state government and negligence at any level will not be acceptable.

• The Chief Minister directed officials of all major districts associated with the Magh Mela, including Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Hapur (Garhmukteshwar), Mathura-Vrindavan, Farrukhabad, Shahjahanpur, that devotees’ movement, cleanliness of ghats and temple premises, uninterrupted electricity supply, changing rooms for women, control rooms, crowd management, and smooth entry-exit arrangements in the Mela area should be ensured. The Chief Minister said that under no circumstances should anarchy be encouraged, and all devotees should be able to bathe and perform rituals in a safe environment.
• Regarding Prayagraj on Paush Purnima, with an estimated arrival of 15 to 25 lakh devotees, the Chief Minister directed that health services be specially strengthened. He said adequate arrangements for hospitals, medical staff, ambulances, clean toilets, drinking water, and facilities for women must be ensured. Adequate deployment of divers at ghats should be done to immediately handle any emergency.
• Giving utmost priority to women’s safety, the Chief Minister instructed that suspicious and disruptive elements in Mela areas and public places be identified and strict action be taken against them. The administration must ensure that no female devotee faces inconvenience or fear.
• Directing the Urban Development and Panchayati Raj Department, the Chief Minister said that cleanliness campaigns should be intensified in all districts, particularly in slum areas, with extensive sanitation and pure drinking water arrangements to prevent the possibility of infectious diseases. He said that a clean and healthy environment is the right of every citizen.
• Considering the severe cold wave, the Chief Minister directed adequate arrangements for night shelters, bonfires, and strengthened lighting at railway stations, bus stands, and public places. He clearly said that no person should be forced to sleep under the open sky. Police patrolling should be increased, and those in need should be brought to night shelters.
• The Chief Minister said that all senior officials should inspect the Mela site tonight itself and instruct subordinate officers and staff to ensure all arrangements. Safety should be ensured by installing barricades in the river where there is strong current and depth. No boatman should take arbitrary fees from devotees.
• In this regard, he issued strict instructions regarding unauthorized fare collection in boat operations at pilgrimage sites and other important places and any arbitrary activities by hotels, stating that senior officials must ensure such practices do not occur on the ground.
• The Chief Minister instructed strict action against elements spreading anarchy, hooliganism, or pressuring the administration in the name of organizations. He said that there will be no compromise on law and order, and citizens will not face any inconvenience.
• The Chief Minister directed all districts to work on flood rescue plans and instructed preparation of a detailed action plan within the next 10 days. He also instructed that the matter be communicated through the Chief Minister’s Office, Chief Secretary, and Principal Secretary.
• Giving strict instructions against land mafia and anti-social elements, the Chief Minister said that the protection of citizens’ land and property is the responsibility of the state government, and there will be no laxity at any level.
• The Chief Minister directed that the public grievance system be made more effective, with regular public hearings at the district level and timely resolution of complaints. If negligence is found, accountability of the concerned officers will be fixed.
• In the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the Public Works Department to identify land for permanent helipads near district headquarters, circuit houses, tehsil, and block headquarters, ensuring that future reliance on temporary arrangements is avoided.
• Taking note of traffic jams on roads, the Chief Minister instructed removal of illegal taxi stands, bus stands, and vendors, and their organization at designated locations to ensure smooth traffic and relief for the public.
• The Chief Minister concluded by saying that all departments should work in coordination at a war footing and ensure that peace, security, and order are maintained in the state during festivals and the Magh Mela.