Varanasi: With the holy month of Shrawan underway, Police Commissioner Mohit Agrawal and DM Satyendra Kumar on Thursday conducted an on-site inspection of the kanwar yatra route to review safety, traffic, crowd-management and other arrangements for devotees. The officials said ensuring the safety, convenience and uninterrupted movement of pilgrims remains the administration’s top priority.The officials inspected key stretches, including Ring Road Phase-2 from Rakhouna to Harahua and the route from Khajuri to Chandpur. They reviewed security arrangements, traffic diversions, crowd-control measures, barricading, parking, lighting, drinking water, toilets, sanitation, medical camps, temporary police assistance centres and emergency services.During the inspection at the Rakhouna underpass, the officials assessed possible traffic pressure and congestion. They reviewed alternative routes and directed officers to keep diversion plans ready for effective implementation whenever required.A dedicated corridor has been reserved for kanwariyas from Prayagraj to Mohansarai and along Ring Road from Rakhouna to Harahua. One lane on this stretch will remain exclusively reserved for kanwariyas, and no other vehicles will be allowed to enter it. Officials warned that strict action will be taken against violators.To prevent accidents and unauthorized movement, zig-zag barricading will be installed at all cuts along the Kanwar route, while illegal cuts will be closed immediately. PRV and Phantom teams will be deployed round the clock at every cut and at fixed intervals to ensure quick police assistance in emergencies.Agrawal said the safety, convenience and uninterrupted movement of kanwar pilgrims are the administration’s top priorities. He directed officers to remain present in the field throughout Shrawan and personally monitor security, traffic and crowd-control arrangements.The DM directed all concerned departments to ensure round-the-clock availability of sanitation, drinking water and medical services along the route. He said all departments must work in coordination to ensure devotees do not face any inconvenience during the yatra.Both officials instructed officers to keep all arrangements fully functional, maintain continuous monitoring and immediately resolve any problem reported during the kanwar yatra.
