Bijnor District Administration Ramps Up Preparations for Winter Kanwar Yatra Ahead of Maha Shivratri
With Maha Shivratri approaching on February 15, the Bijnor district administration has significantly intensified its preparations for the upcoming winter Kanwar Yatra. The administration has issued comprehensive directives focusing on route repairs, medical readiness, and stringent security enforcement along the critical stretch used by lakhs of devotees passing through western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Enhanced Security and Safety Measures for Devotees
Special attention has been directed towards leopard-prone zones, with forest teams being deployed and signboards displaying emergency contact numbers being installed along sensitive routes. This proactive approach is crucial given the district's history of leopard encounters. Over the past three years, 34 human deaths linked to leopard attacks have been reported in Bijnor, which is home to a leopard population exceeding 500. Forest and public works department teams have been specifically instructed to post warning signs along high-risk stretches and ensure staff remain present throughout the yatra route.
Coordinated Efforts Across Multiple Departments
The National Highways Authority, Public Works Department, and police officials have been directed to finalize details related to halt points, police deployment, and diversions well in advance. All roadside eateries along the yatra corridor have been mandated to display rate lists prominently to prevent overcharging and ensure fair pricing for pilgrims. Bijnor Superintendent of Police Abhishek Jha emphasized that police would actively monitor social media platforms and WhatsApp groups to curb rumour-mongering and prevent any potential disruption to the peaceful conduct of the yatra.
"If anyone tries to spoil the peace, they will not be spared. Strict action will be taken. We are appealing to all to maintain harmony and not hurt anyone's religious sentiments," SP Jha stated firmly. Public meetings are being conducted across the district to reinforce this message of communal harmony and safety.
Infrastructure and Medical Preparedness
District Magistrate Jasjit Kaur confirmed that preparations were being conducted in a highly coordinated manner across all departments. "The administration has intensified preparations to ensure the smooth, safe and peaceful conduct of the upcoming Kanwar Yatra. All departments have been asked to work closely together," she explained. Kaur added that agencies responsible for road maintenance had been instructed to ensure there were no potholes, waterlogging, or debris on the Kanwar routes. Additionally, hanging electric wires and tilted poles are being cleared, and power officials have been directed to install proper lighting along the pilgrimage path.
Comprehensive Medical Arrangements
The chief medical officer, Kaushlendra Kumar, has been tasked with deploying ambulances at key locations such as Mota Mahadev and Bhaguvala check posts. Medical teams will be stationed at high-footfall points to provide emergency response services throughout the yatra period. This annual pilgrimage sees devotees from Amroha, Moradabad, Bareilly, Badaun, Rampur, Sambhal, and parts of Uttarakhand traveling through Bijnor, making it a critical transit corridor that requires meticulous planning and execution of safety protocols.
The administration's multi-faceted approach demonstrates a serious commitment to ensuring that the winter Kanwar Yatra proceeds without incident, balancing religious observance with practical safety considerations in one of Uttar Pradesh's most important pilgrimage routes.
