Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 15 Jul: With a view to ensuring the safe, peaceful, and well-organised conduct of the Shravan Kanwar Mela 2026, a high-level review meeting was held today at the Uttarakhand Police Headquarters under the chairmanship of Director General of Police (DGP) Deepam Seth. Senior officers from Police Headquarters, along with Superintendents of Police from Kanwar-related districts—Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, the Government Railway Police (GRP), and the Commandant of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)—participated in the meeting through video conferencing.
Reviewing the preparations, the DGP described the Kanwar Mela as one of the largest and most sensitive religious gatherings, stating that the safety of pilgrims, smooth movement, efficient traffic management, and maintenance of law and order remain the highest priorities of the Uttarakhand Police. He directed all officers to complete preparations well in advance and ensure close coordination with neighbouring states and relevant departments.
The DGP issued the following key directions during the meeting:
Sensitive and high-footfall areas along the Kanwar routes should be identified, with adequate deployment of police personnel, reserve forces, and women police officers. Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS), Special Task Force (STF), and intelligence units will remain actively deployed at key locations to monitor suspicious individuals and activities. Rapid Response Teams will remain on standby to respond swiftly to any emergency. In addition, SDRF teams and divers will be stationed at all major bathing ghats to undertake immediate rescue operations if required.
A comprehensive traffic management plan should be prepared covering Kanwar routes, national highways, alternate routes, parking areas, holding zones, and diversion points. The plan should be widely publicised through hoardings, digital platforms, and social media across Uttarakhand as well as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and other neighbouring states, enabling pilgrims to plan their journey in advance. Contingency plans should also be kept ready for emergencies. Timely diversion of heavy vehicles, establishment of temporary police outposts, mobile patrolling, and dedicated routes for pedestrian and Dak Kanwariyas should be ensured while maintaining convenient alternative traffic arrangements for local residents.
The entire Kanwar route, including the railway jurisdiction, should be divided into Super Zones, Zones, and Sectors for systematic deployment of police personnel to ensure crowd management, passenger safety, and uninterrupted movement at railway stations, platforms, foot overbridges, waiting halls, and trains.
Continuous 24×7 surveillance through CCTV cameras and drones should be ensured at all major religious sites, ghats, Kanwar routes, and crowded locations. Fire safety audits of parking areas, holding zones, and other public places should be completed in advance, with adequate firefighting resources kept available to deal with emergencies.
Strict compliance with all safety protocols during the Kanwar Yatra should be enforced. Awareness campaigns should educate pilgrims about prescribed Kanwar size norms and discourage travel on train rooftops. The use of DJs and loudspeakers must comply with the decibel limits prescribed by the Supreme Court, with regular inspections conducted at state borders and along the pilgrimage routes.
Through the social media cell, regular updates regarding traffic diversions, weather conditions, security advisories, and other essential information should be disseminated. These updates should also be shared by tagging the official social media handles of neighbouring state police departments to maximise outreach. Continuous monitoring of social media should be maintained to identify and counter misinformation or objectionable content, with prompt legal action taken wherever necessary. A dedicated team of Cyber Commandos will camp in Haridwar and maintain 24×7 surveillance of social media and cyberspace, ensuring immediate response to any cyber or social media-related threats.
Regular coordination meetings should be held with police officials from neighbouring states and border districts to ensure seamless inter-state coordination and timely exchange of intelligence inputs.
Special attention should be paid to the welfare of police personnel deployed during the Kanwar Mela. Adequate arrangements for accommodation, food, drinking water, rest, and other essential facilities should be made near deployment points to maintain their morale and operational efficiency.
Police personnel should deal with pilgrims in a respectful and sensitive manner while maintaining strict vigilance over anti-social elements and those attempting to disturb communal harmony. Immediate and stringent legal action should be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt law and order.
Concluding the meeting, DGP Deepam Seth said that the Uttarakhand Police is working with complete dedication, vigilance, and a spirit of public service to ensure that Kanwar Mela 2026 is conducted peacefully, securely, and in a well-coordinated manner.
The meeting was attended by Additional Director General of Police (Crime & Law and Order) V. Murugesan, Additional Director General of Police (Administration) AP Anshuman, Inspector General of Police (Telecommunications & Fire Services) Vimmi Sachdeva, Inspector General of Police and Director (Traffic) Krishna Kumar VK, Inspector General of Police (STF) Nilesh Anand Bharne, Inspector General of Police (Personnel) Sunil Kumar Meena, Inspector General of Police (SDRF/Kumbh Mela) Yogendra Singh Rawat, Inspector General of Police (Headquarters/P&M) Barinderjit Singh, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Crime & Law and Order) Dhirendra Gunjyal, Senior Superintendent of Police (STF) Ajay Singh, Superintendent of Police (Intelligence) Manikant Mishra, and other senior police officers.
