Inter-State Coordination Meeting Chaired by Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan Finalizes Strategy for Safe and Smooth Kanwar Mela 2026
Haridwar | July 17, 2026
To ensure the successful, safe, and well-organized conduct of Kanwar Mela 2026, scheduled from July 30 to August 11, 2026, an inter-state coordination meeting was held at the Mela Control Building in Haridwar under the chairmanship of Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan.
Senior administrative and police officials from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, along with representatives of central security agencies, participated in the meeting to strengthen coordination and finalize a joint action plan.
The discussions focused on law and order, security, traffic management, crowd control, healthcare, sanitation, drinking water supply, disaster preparedness, communication systems, and real-time information sharing among participating states.
Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan emphasized that the Kanwar Yatra is one of India’s largest religious pilgrimages, attracting millions of devotees who collect holy Ganga water from Haridwar. He stressed that its smooth conduct depends on seamless coordination among all participating states and agencies.
He directed officials to establish real-time coordination mechanisms, strengthen surveillance systems, set up joint interstate checkpoints, and enhance crowd management strategies along the pilgrimage routes.
The Chief Secretary instructed authorities to ensure that pilgrims receive complete information regarding safety protocols, travel guidelines, prohibited items, and traffic regulations at entry points. He also urged devotees to carry valid identification and strictly prohibited the carrying of weapons or banned materials.
He further emphasized extensive public awareness campaigns through religious leaders and saints to encourage disciplined and safe pilgrimage practices.
Authorities were directed to ensure adequate drinking water, sanitation, medical facilities, rest areas, signages, parking arrangements, and traffic diversions across the Kanwar routes.
A key decision taken during the meeting was that the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor (Expressway) will not be used for Kanwar traffic, and Delhi and Uttar Pradesh officials were instructed to enforce the arrangement effectively.
The Chief Secretary also highlighted the need for continuous monitoring of social media platforms to curb misinformation and rumors through coordinated cyber and social media response teams.
Railway officials were instructed to operate special trains, strengthen security at stations, manage passenger flow efficiently, and create adequate holding areas at major railway stations around Haridwar.
Haridwar District Magistrate Mayur Dixit informed that the Panchak period will continue from July 31 to August 4, while the influx of devotees is expected to rise sharply from August 5. The Dak Kanwar phase beginning August 8 is anticipated to witness the highest footfall, requiring enhanced security and traffic arrangements.
Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Singh Bhullar presented the comprehensive security, surveillance, parking, traffic management, and integrated command-and-control plans for the event.
Before the meeting, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan offered prayers at Brahmakund, Har Ki Pauri, seeking the successful, peaceful, and safe conduct of Kanwar Mela 2026.
