Garhwal Post Bureau
HARIDWAR, 19 Jul: With the Kanwar Mela entering its concluding phase, Haridwar is witnessing a sharp surge in the arrival of Dak Kanwariyas, particularly those travelling in vehicles ranging from scooters and motorcycles to cars, trucks and DJ-fitted carriers. To prevent congestion within city limits, the district administration has restricted vehicular entry and is diverting all such traffic to designated parking areas outside Haridwar. According to the official estimates, over two crore devotees have already departed the city with their Kanwars, while daily arrivals continue at a staggering pace of nearly forty lakh, with pedestrian footfall now giving way to mechanised participation.
It may be reminded here that the final stretch of the Mela, especially in the run-up to Shivratri, typically draws a spike in Dak Kanwar activity, which poses significant logistical and security challenges for law enforcement. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Haridear Parmendra Dobhal confirmed that all such vehicles are being stopped on the city’s outskirts, and devotees are proceeding to Har Ki Pauri on foot from the allocated parking zones. These holding areas have been created to streamline movement and prevent gridlocks, with police deploying an additional contingency plan or “Plan B” in case primary parking zones become full.
In anticipation of swelling crowds and potential disruptions, the entire Mela zone is under constant surveillance through drones and CCTV monitoring. The administration has emphasised that no compromise will be made with regard to public safety and law and order. SSP Dobhal today urged all Kanwariyas to cooperate and maintain discipline, cautioning that strict action would be initiated against those engaging in unruly behaviour or masquerading as devotees to create disturbances.
It may be pertinent to remind here that as the Kanwar Yatra reaches its peak, the complexity of crowd management escalates, making it increasingly difficult to balance the spiritual fervour of the pilgrimage with civic order. Officials remain alert to ensure that Haridwar’s atmosphere remains harmonious, even as it braces for one of the busiest phases of this mass religious event.
