The Haridwar district administration has reviewed security, traffic and route diversion at a meeting held in the traffic police line in view of Kanwar mela that starts a week before Mahashivratri. The meeting was chaired by District Magistrate H C Semwal and Sweety Agarwal, SSP Haridwar. It may be mentioned that Mahashivratri will be observed on February 17 as per the Hindu calendar (Panchaang). Devotees in large numbers from different other parts of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan are likely to come via Haridwar- Najibabad- Shyampur National Highway.
Notably, the Kanwars take the first dip in Ganga and store the holy water in containers. This would be poured on the Shiva idols near their respective native places. To meet any emergency and to ensure smooth bathing during the auspicious occasion, the mela area has been divided into eight zones and twenty four sectors. For every zone, one official of the rank of deputy SP or Inspector has been appointed while for every sector, an officer of the rank of SO or senior sub-inspector has been deputed.
Besides, eight parking areas have been marked and four parking areas are kept reserved for contingency. Interacting with The Pioneer, SP, City, Surjit Singh Panwar said that last year about 30,000 Kanwars had come. This year, the figure might increase up to 40,000 and above. SSP of Haridwar Sweety Agarwal asked all the duty personnel to be alert during the Mela.