By Arun Pratap Singh
Haridwar, 30 Jul: Acting on very strict instructions issued by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in the wake of the recent tragedy at Mansa Devi, the Haridwar district administration has initiated an encroachment clearance drive along the route leading to the temple. The drive commenced last night. It may be recalled that a recent stampede along this route had claimed nine lives, with one injured succumbing to injuries today.
In response to the incident, the CM had sought an explanation from the Haridwar district administration, as preliminary reports indicated that the narrowing of the route due to encroachments was a contributing factor.
The unchecked spread of hundreds of makeshift shops and shanties along the pathway was attributed to negligence by the Rajaji National Park administration and the Forest Department. In accordance with the CM’s directive, the anti-encroachment operation is being led by Rajaji National Park Director Koko Rose. So far, dozens of unauthorised establishments have been dismantled over nearly 1.5 hectares of land, with the Director confirming that the campaign remains ongoing.
Parag Dhakate, the designated Nodal Officer overseeing the Forest Department’s encroachment removal efforts, stated that as per government directives, similar actions are being undertaken around all major religious sites in Uttarakhand. Clearance operations are actively underway in the forest areas surrounding both Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi temples. He further noted that encroachers were initially given the opportunity to remove their structures voluntarily; however, upon failure to comply, departmental enforcement was initiated.
