Haridwar, July 5 (HS): The Haridwar administration has intensified preparations for the annual Kanwar Yatra, scheduled to commence on July 30, with directions issued to all departments to complete essential infrastructure and public facilities by July 25.

The Uttarakhand government has said that ensuring the safety, convenience and smooth movement of Kanwariyas will remain its top priority during the pilgrimage.

The preparations were reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by state minister Satpal Maharaj, where officials were directed to complete all works within the stipulated timeline and ensure close coordination among departments.

District Magistrate Mayur Dixit instructed officials not to compromise on facilities for devotees and directed all departments to complete pending works well before the commencement of the yatra.

Additional Chief Officer of the Zila Panchayat Mahesh Vishnoi said bush clearance along the Kanwar track has been taken up on a war footing. Pedestrian routes from Liverhedi to Mohammadpur Jhal and from Uttara Tech College towards Kaliyar are being cleared and secured for pilgrims.

He said repair and maintenance of public toilets and bathing facilities under the Zila Panchayat are also being undertaken to ensure better amenities for devotees.

The Irrigation Department has started desilting drains along the Kanwar route to prevent waterlogging, while the National Highways Authority is carrying out road repairs, filling potholes and resurfacing stretches on the pilgrimage route.

Vishnoi said teams from all departments are working on the ground with the objective of making the Kanwar route clean, safe and commuter-friendly before the deadline.

Every year, lakhs of devotees from across the country visit Haridwar during the holy month of Shravan to collect Ganga water and carry it to Shiva temples in their respective destinations. Keeping the large influx of pilgrims in view, the administration has initiated extensive preparations to ensure the smooth conduct of the annual yatra.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar