The mela administration is expecting more than 30 lakh pilgrims on Somavati Amavasya snan. With the auspicious period starting at 7 am on Monday the pilgrims rush had started a day before, on Sunday.
In spite of the drizzling throughout on Sunday interspersed with light showers, pilgrims were seen coming to the holy city from Nazibabad and national highway NH 58.
Speaking to The Pioneer, IG Ardh Kmbh Mela G S Martolia said, “We are expecting at least double the rush as was marked on the first snan of Makar Sankranti. By Sunday noon, most of the hotels, dharamshalas and parking lots were seen having nearly full occupancy. Seeing the influx of the pilgrims, we shall implement the route diversions.”
Entry of heavy vehicles to the mela zone was barred from Saturday night added the Inspector General and after Rishikul one is not allowed to take four wheelers in the mela zone.
Special trains on the three snans of February
Railways have announced special trains for three snans of Ardh Kumbh Mela. From Sunday the Mela special trains were started. These trains shall also resume their schedule for Shivratri and Basant Panchmi snans. Speaking to The Pioneer, station superintendent M K Singh said, “3 special trains will be incoming today to Haridwar from lucknow route. We have also increased the stoppages of regular trains making them halt for two minutes at Jwalapur, Motichur and Raiwala. More trains have been started from Haridwar to Rishikesh. Also we have ensured that the passengers get all the necessary facilities at the railway platform.”
From Haridwar to Nazibabad, on 11 and 12 February, train no. 054483 would start from 10:45 pm and reach Nazibabad on Feb 12 and 13 at early morning 1.40.
Return journey by train no. 054484 which starts at 7.45 in the evening from Nazibabad would reach Haridwar at 10 pm. From 7 to 13 February, train No 0544163 would daily start from Haridwar at 12.45 and reach Rishikesh at 1.20 pm. Return journey from Rishikesh via same train is facilitated starting at 4.30 from Rishikesh and reaching Haridwar at 5.40pm.
One way Traffic route plan
Be ready to walk your way to the sanctum sanctorum for the holy dip. Ardhkumbh mela police has imposed one way route plan for pilgrims going towards Har ki Pauri on the occasion of Somwati Amavasya snan. During the snan period ban on entry of heavy vehicles shall remain enforced till Monday midnight.
As per the traffic plan, the pilgrims coming from Kankhal and Singh dwar shall be diverted through Shankracharya chowk-Iris bridge via Rodibelwala to reach Harki Pauri while pilgrims will return from the upper road.
On other hand pilgrims coming from Haridwar railway station and hill bypass side will reach Har ki Pauri through Shivmurti junction, Tulsi chownk-Damkothi bridge, Shankracharya chownk-Iris bridge Rodibelwala route.
The pilgrims coming from Motichoor-Saptrishi area will be diverted through Sarvanand Ghat, old canal bridge, Pantdeep parking via Kangra Ghat to reach Malviya ghat and return through upper road via Bhimgoda route. Those who will come from Neeldhara and Chandi Ghat Nazibabad highway will be directly entering Rodibelwala route to reach Har Ki pauri but will return through upper road.
Speaking about the security measures after the terrorist threats, IG Martolia said, “We have deployed more police personnel on sensitive locations and search operations and verification drives are being conducted in hotels and busy areas of the city. ATS teams are on constant alert and whole of the mela zone is under surveillance by close circuit and unmanned aerial vehicles carrying drone cameras.”