Ghaziabad: Chairing a review meeting on Friday, chief minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to deploy adequate police personnel along yatra routes, install CCTV cameras and ensure drone surveillance.He directed officials to monitor social media and digital platforms to check rumours, warning that strict action would be taken against those spreading misinformation. The information and public relations department was also asked to display information on state welfare schemes on hoardings welcoming devotees for the annual Kanwar pilgrimage.The public works and irrigation departments were asked to make all Kanwar routes free of potholes and clear roadside vegetation before the pilgrimage begins, according to a statement issued by the Ghaziabad district administration. Temporary pilgrim camps should have clean drinking water, toilets, electricity, street lighting and hygienic vegetarian food, with sanitation maintained throughout the route, the statement said.Officials said DJ sound levels must stay under 75 decibels, while Kanwar structures should not exceed the prescribed height limit of 12 feet, to avoid inconvenience to pilgrims and commuters.Adityanath also directed that meat and liquor shops along the routes remain closed during the yatra. The transport department was instructed to ensure public transport drivers are not under the influence of alcohol, while the power department was asked to inspect transformers and overhead lines to prevent accidents.The chief minister emphasised coordination with neighbouring states, including Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, for effective management of the pilgrimage.There are three main stretches that pilgrims use in Ghaziabad for heading to Uttarakhand, including Muradnagar to Tila Mor, Kadrabad border to Delhi-Ghaziabad border, and a 53-km stretch along the Delhi-Meerut Expressway.Adityanath also held a meeting with public representatives from the Meerut division to review development projects, law and order, and welfare initiatives. He directed officials to promptly address public grievances and ensure quality, timely execution of development works, reiterating that public welfare, good governance and development remain the state govt’s top priorities.On Saturday, the CM offered prayers and performed jal abhishek — offered water — to Lord Dudheshwar at Shri Dudheshwarnath Mahadev Math Temple.
