Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to ensure comprehensive arrangements for the upcoming Shravan month, Kanwar Yatra, and major festivals, stressing that the safety, convenience and dignity of every devotee must remain the government’s highest priority. He instructed authorities to maintain robust law and order, seamless traffic management, quality healthcare services, sanitation, food safety and public amenities throughout the pilgrimage.
Chairing a high-level review meeting via video conferencing from his official residence, the Chief Minister interacted with all Police Commissioners, Divisional Commissioners, District Magistrates and Senior Superintendents of Police to assess preparations for the Kanwar Yatra, fairs, festivals, law and order, and flood management across the state.
The meeting reviewed arrangements for the Kanwar Yatra, Shravani Shivratri, Chehallum, Independence Day, Barawafat and Raksha Bandhan, covering security, medical services, sanitation, traffic regulation, disaster management and civic facilities. The Additional Chief Secretary (Home) presented an overview of the state’s preparedness, while the Meerut Divisional Commissioner and ADG, Meerut Zone, made a detailed presentation on Kanwar Yatra management.
Describing the Kanwar Yatra as a statewide event rather than one confined to western Uttar Pradesh, the Chief Minister said devotees from Rohilkhand, Braj, Bundelkhand, Awadh, Purvanchal and western Uttar Pradesh participate in large numbers. He directed officials to ensure uniform standards of arrangements across every district and instructed district administrations to maintain regular coordination with Kanwar organisations, complete verification of camp organisers in advance and share the Meerut Zone’s best practices with all police zones.
The Chief Minister ordered immediate repair of damaged roads on pilgrimage routes and directed authorities to ensure uninterrupted street lighting, sanitation, drinking water, toilets and other essential public facilities. He also instructed the Health Department to establish well-equipped medical camps and ensure adequate availability of anti-venom and anti-rabies injections. Separate changing rooms for women at major ghats and regular public announcements accompanied by devotional music were also mandated.
Emphasising food safety, Adityanath directed that meat and liquor shops remain closed along Kanwar routes during the pilgrimage. He ordered strict inspections to prevent food adulteration, unhygienic conditions and overpricing, and instructed officials to take immediate action against violators. Every establishment, he said, must prominently display the name of its operator, while DJs must comply with prescribed noise limits.
The Chief Minister also instructed police to intensify patrolling, deploy CCTV surveillance and drones at sensitive locations and closely monitor suspicious activities. Authorities were directed to take swift action against those spreading rumours or misinformation on social media and against anyone attempting to disturb communal harmony or create disorder.
Reviewing flood preparedness, Adityanath noted that water levels in several rivers had risen and directed district administrations to strengthen safety arrangements at river ghats while ensuring all preventive measures were in place in flood- and erosion-prone areas. He also instructed officials to ensure that VIP movements do not disrupt the movement of pilgrims.
The Chief Minister further asked district officials to convene meetings with local public representatives within the next two to three days to discuss current issues, government programmes and local arrangements, incorporating constructive suggestions into district-level planning.
During the administrative review, Adityanath stressed the timely disposal of revenue cases and called for impartial resolution of consolidation-related disputes to prevent any adverse impact on social harmony.
Expressing concern over complaints of harassment of fair price shop dealers in some districts, he directed District Magistrates to ensure accountability of District Supply Officers. He said any officer found guilty of corruption should face immediate suspension, an open vigilance inquiry and appropriate legal and departmental action.
The Chief Minister also instructed power distribution companies to resolve complaints of overbilling without delay, stating that consumers should not suffer because of technical deficiencies. He directed that every electricity consumer be billed strictly according to actual power consumption and ordered strict enforcement of this principle across all discoms.
