Varanasi: Ahead of the holy month of Shrawan beginning July 30, the Varanasi Police will implement a traffic and crowd management system modelled on the arrangements made during the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh 2025 to ensure the safe movement of devotees visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.The plan includes dedicated parking zones, zig-zag barricading, separate entry arrangements for local devotees, enhanced surveillance through CCTV cameras and drones, and the deployment of police, paramilitary personnel and the ATS.While inspecting the ground situation on Monday evening before finalising the crowd management plan, Commissioner of Police Mohit Agrawal reviewed the routes leading to the Kashi Vishwanath Dham. He assessed preparations related to devotees’ safety, smooth darshan, traffic regulation, parking, queue management and crowd control.Directing officials to adopt measures similar to those implemented during Maha Kumbh, the CP said parking facilities for outstation devotees should be created within 500 metres to one kilometre of the temple area so that pilgrims do not have to walk long distances. He also directed that zig-zag barricades be installed on the Godowlia and Maidagin routes for controlled crowd management.Prioritising the convenience of local devotees, especially residents of Kashi, the CP instructed officials to ensure a regulated and well-organised entry system through Gate No. 4 of the temple. He also directed the installation of zig-zag barricading on this route to streamline queues and avoid inconvenience to regular pilgrims.Referring to crowd-control barricading on Mondays and other important days during Shravan, the CP directed officials to ensure that roads remain open as far as possible to minimise disruption to commercial activities and local movement. He said arrangements should also facilitate the safe movement of devotees visiting the Ganga for a holy dip and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, while allowing them to shop, enjoy local cuisine and experience the cultural ambience around the temple precincts.Inspecting the temple’s entry and exit routes, Agrawal directed officials to ensure the deployment of additional police personnel, effective queue management and adequate security resources in view of the expected heavy footfall. He also instructed them to make the process of depositing and collecting mobile phones and other belongings more convenient and time-bound.During the month of Shravan, continuous surveillance will be maintained in the temple area and on major routes through CCTV cameras, drones and other modern monitoring systems. To strengthen security, police, paramilitary forces and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) will be jointly deployed. Senior police officers were present during the inspection.
