Kanwar Yatra : AI Surveillance, CCTV Coverage, Tight Security Measures, Medical, Traffic Management In Place To Ensure Safe Pilgrimage

Picture : ANI/X ( Representational Purpose Only)

Uttar Pradesh authorities have rolled out extensive security and logistical measures for the annual Kanwar Yatra which commenced July 30,  deploying AI-enabled surveillance and additional security personnel, and setting up medical camps and dedicated control rooms to ensure a pilgrimage with “zero incidents and zero accidents”.

The Kanwar Yatra began with the ushering in of the holy month of Shravan on Thursday, and will conclude on August 11.

During the fortnight, lakhs of devotees will collect water from the holy Ganga in Haridwar and other ghats, carrying it hundreds of kilometres to their native places where it will be offered to Lord Shiva at local shrines.

Thousands thronged the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi on the first day of Shravan.

Temple authorities said elaborate arrangements, including separate entry and exit gates, enhanced security, CCTV monitoring, medical facilities, ORS distribution, air coolers, e-rickshaws for elderly and specially-abled devotees, and live online ‘darshan’, had been arranged to handle the heavy rush.

Inspector General (Law and Order) L R Kumar said a dedicated Kanwar control room has been established at the police headquarters in Lucknow for round-the-clock monitoring of the pilgrimage.

“The control room is monitoring the movement of Kanwariyas and the law-and-order situation through live CCTV feeds, drone surveillance and field inputs from across the state. If any situation develops anywhere, immediate assistance will be coordinated,” he told PTI Videos.

He said integrated command centres have been set up in every district, while quick response teams, anti-sabotage checks and social media monitoring were also part of the security grid to counter rumours and ensure prompt action.

In Muzaffarnagar, one of the busiest transit points for Kanwar pilgrims, around 4,000 police personnel, including Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and flood units, have been deployed.

Heavy vehicles have been barred from the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway and the Ganga canal road under a diversion plan, while complete restrictions on vehicular movement on these routes will remain in force from August 4 to August 12.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Sunil Tewatia said 45 medical camps, 78 ambulances and 14 bike ambulances have been stationed along Kanwar routes, while 100 hospital beds have been reserved for pilgrims.