Garhwal Post Bureau
Haridwar, 2 Apr: Chief Secretary (CS) Anand Bardhan conducted an extensive on-site inspection of various ongoing and proposed construction projects in Haridwar today to evaluate the progress of preparations for Kumbh Mela 2027. During the visit, he issued strict directives to the officials to ensure that all projects are completed within the stipulated timelines while maintaining the highest standards of quality and strengthening inter-departmental coordination to expedite the works.
While inspecting the construction of the ghat from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Ghat (Kamdhenu Ghat) to Singhdwar on the left bank of the Upper Ganga Canal and the Bairagi Camp Ghat, Bardhan emphasised that the development must align with modern standards to ensure the convenience, safety and the seamless movement of pilgrims. The CS specifically ordered the inclusion of ramps and accessibility features for the elderly and differently-abled, alongside adequate changing rooms and sanitation facilities. A key highlight of the upcoming mela will be the development of Green Ghats, where dedicated green belts will be created and adorned with diverse flora and aesthetic landscaping to enhance the spiritual environment.
Continuing his inspection, the Chief Secretary also reviewed the progress of the 60-metre-long pre-stressed RCC bridge being built over the Pathri Rau River on the Jwalapur–Idgah–PAC–Shivalik Nagar motor road. In this regard, he warned the executive agencies that no compromise on quality would be tolerated. He also visited the Bahadrabad–SIDCUL road expansion project, spanning from Bhai-Chara Dhaba through BHEL Sector-6 to Shivalik Nagar Chowk. Here he stressed that this route is vital for smooth traffic management during the mega event and must be prioritised. Regarding the 90-metre span bridge under construction on the Dhanauri–SIDCUL link road, the CS instructed that riverbed works be completed before the onset of the monsoon to prevent delays caused by rising water levels.
Bardhan further scrutinised the Haridwar Bypass Ring Road project and directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials to finish the construction without further delay, mandating weekly targets and regular progress reviews against a fixed timeline. The CS stressed that the completion of this project, along with the flyover on the Delhi Highway, is essential before the Kumbh Mela begins and urged that daily progress reports be shared with the District Magistrate (DM) of Haridwar. At Bairagi Camp, he inspected the 1,500-kilolitre capacity overhead tank and related water supply infrastructure, ensuring that clean drinking water remains available throughout the festivities.
Asserting that Kumbh Mela 2027 is a significant international event drawing millions of devotees from across the globe, Bardhan called for total dedication from all the related departments to oversee traffic management, security, sanitation and lighting. He later visited the Command and Control Centre at the Mela Control Building to review the surveillance arrangements, where he pushed for the integration of the latest Information Technology (IT) applications and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to bolster security. Among those present on this occasion were Secretary, Urban Development, Nitesh Jha, Commissioner, Garhwal Division, Vinay Shankar Pandey, IG-Garhwal Rajeev Swarup, Mela Officer Sonika, DM, Haridwar, Mayur Dixit and several other senior administrative and police officials.
