7k+ officers to fan out across Capital in Kanwar Yatra plan

NEW DELHI: Nearly 5,000 security personnel and 2,000 traffic police officers will be deployed on 50 routes, 187 intersections and 338 temporary camps set up across Delhi for the annual Kanwar Yatra, a pilgrimage for Lord Shiva devotees, senior police officers aware of the plan said on Tuesday. It will be observed between July 14 and 26.

- Karn Pratap Singh

The administration is expecting that around two million people will participate in the yatra this year since it is taking place after two years -- a gap enforced because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nearly 50 road stretches marked for the yatra pass through Delhi, with most of them falling in the eastern parts of the city bordering Uttar Pradesh.

Officers said traffic congestion is likely in many areas of the Capital due to the diversion of and restrictions on traffic movement, and added that the maximum impact during the course of the pilgrimage is likely to be felt between July 21 and 26, during the last leg of the yatra, when maximum number of devotees join the annual pilgrimage.

The Kanwar pilgrims enter Delhi from Uttar Pradesh through Bhopura, Apsara, Maharajpur, Ghazipur and Kalindi Kunj borders and pass through the city towards Haryana and Rajasthan via Rajokri, Singhu and Tikri borders.

To facilitate the pilgrims, 338 camps are being set up on the roadside. Of the 338 camps, 172 are government approved camps and nine security camps. A total of 157 private camps are being set-up across Delhi, said additional commissioner of police (traffic) Geeta Rani Verma.