Neelkanth Mahadev Shravan Kanwar Mela will be held from July 31 to August 13 this year. The Neelkanth shrine in Yamkeshwar block of the Pauri district is expected to attract a large number of visitors. last year, nearly 22 lakh devotees visited Neelkanth shrine and this year the footfall might touch 30 lakhs. Pauri district administration claimed that all arrangements have been made for the Kanwaria Mela. Few things which are yet to be done would be completed well before before the Sharavan Mela starts.
Officiating district magistrate Sonika stressed that they are doing everything to provide best facilities to the devotees visiting Neelkanth Mahadev Shrine. She hoped that all arrangements will be completed before Neelkanth Shravan Mela commences.
learning a lesson from the 2013 natural disaster, the authorities have made it mandatory for the Kanwaris and others to register their names on entering the district. .Pauri district superintendent of police Ajay Joshi said that there is only one- way entry from the barrage and two posts have been set up for registration. Briefing security and traffic arrangements, Joshi said that 40 sub inspectors, three circle officers, one additional superintendent of police and 200 constables will be deputed in the Neelkanth Shravan Mela to ensure fool-proof security. This number includes the police personal from the district as well as those from outside the district. In addition, three quick response teams will be deputed in Garurchatti, Neelkanth and laxmanjhula and they will rush to the spot if required in case of emergency. The permanent armed guards will be deployed in Pundrasu, Ghaghlapani, Parvati temple and at one more spot.
Joshi said that one- way traffic will be enforced from barrage to Garurchatti for entry while it would be two- way traffic from Garurchatti to Neelkanth shrine. Besides, vehicles returning from Neelkanth temple will be diverted to National Highway from Garurchatti. The buses and other big vehicles will be parked at IDPl and the arrangement for the parking of cars and taxis has been fixed at the parking of Nagar Panchayat, and two other parking spots. Joshi said that two centres have been set up for the missing persons at laxmanjhula and Neelkanth and 13 CCTVs set up en route to different spots.