Haridwar prepares for Kanwar Mela; 5 crore pilgrims expected

HARIDWAR: The police and administration in Haridwar have begun preparations for the upcoming Kanwar Mela, northern India's largest religious gathering. During the Shravan month, devotees from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab journey to Haridwar to collect sacred Ganga water.

SSP Haridwar Pramendra Dobal has issued directives to begin arrangements. The Kanwar Yatra will commence on July 13 and conclude on July 23 during Maha Shivaratri. Officials anticipate around 5 crore pilgrims visiting the holy city during the 12-day Kanwar Yatra this year. The authorities plan to establish additional parking facilities for Dak Kawar. The local administration has also ordered enhanced sanitation measures to address the challenge of preventing open defecation.SSP Dobal told TOI, "Crowd and traffic management is the biggest task for us, as the number of Dak Kawariyas has been increasing continuously for the past few years. I ordered the removal of encroachment from the Kanwar route, and a parking space will be increased too.”The SSP said that last year, more than four crore Kanwariyas visited Haridwar. Haridwar Municipal Commissioner Nandan Kumar told TOI, "We will install extra public toilets on the Kanwar Yatra route and the entire Kanwar Mela area. Extra sanitation workers will be deployed for the cleanliness drive,” adding that the locals as well as the pilgrims are being encouraged to keep the Ganga and riverbanks clean.