Prayagraj: With the commencement of the holy month of Shravan approaching, preparations for the kanwar yatra have gathered pace, with the Prayagraj district administration reviewing arrangements to ensure the smooth and safe movement of devotees.Following a high-level review meeting, officials from various departments were directed to complete all necessary preparations well before the pilgrimage begins on July 30.Officials have been instructed to work in close coordination and deploy shift-wise teams from key departments at major points along the Kanwar routes. ADM (City) Satya Mishra directed authorities to close all illegal highway cuts before the yatra and implement an effective traffic diversion plan to prevent congestion. He also ordered barricading at all major bathing ghats and Shiv temples, besides ensuring adequate lighting, mobile toilets, drinking water tankers and sanitation facilities.To facilitate the uninterrupted movement of kanwariyas, officials were directed to set up community kitchens and food stalls away from the main roads. The PWD was asked to repair streetlights along the Handia route, while civic agencies were instructed to prune large roadside trees and inspect dilapidated buildings on the pilgrimage routes.The administration also ordered the closure of meat shops along the kanwar routes during the yatra and directed the excise department to take action in accordance with govt guidelines. Police officials were instructed to maintain law and order, particularly in mixed-population areas, deploy adequate personnel at major intersections and ensure separate entry and exit arrangements at prominent temples. Proper parking facilities are also to be developed.The health department has been directed to ensure that community and primary health centres along the kanwar routes remain fully equipped with doctors, medicines and ambulances to handle any medical emergencies during the pilgrimage.
