All Kanwar Mela 2026 Preparations Must Be Completed by July 25, No Negligence Will Be Tolerated: DM Dr. Ashish Chauhan

Rishikesh: District Administration Reviews Ground Preparations, Focus on Safety, Cleanliness and Pilgrim Facilities

Dehradun | July 20, 2026

The Dehradun district administration has intensified preparations for the smooth, safe, and well-organized conduct of Kanwar Mela 2026. On Monday, District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan conducted an extensive inspection of the Kanwar Yatra route, IDPL Ground, Nepali Farm, and other key locations in Rishikesh along with senior administrative and police officials.

During the inspection, the District Magistrate directed all departments to ensure that every arrangement related to the Kanwar Mela is completed by July 25, 2026, without exception. He warned that negligence or delays in preparations would not be tolerated, emphasizing that the safety and convenience of devotees remain the administration’s highest priority.

Comprehensive Facilities at IDPL Ground

Inspecting the IDPL Ground, which will serve as a major halt for Kanwariyas, Dr. Chauhan instructed officials to provide adequate lighting, secure parking, drinking water, toilets, sanitation facilities, and other essential amenities.

To strengthen security, he directed the police department to establish a dedicated control room and install CCTV cameras across the entire premises. He stressed that every pilgrim’s religious sentiments must be respected and that no inconvenience should be caused during the yatra.

The District Magistrate instructed the National Highways Authority and the Public Works Department (PWD) to complete patchwork, repair potholes, strengthen bridge railings, and ensure proper street lighting and CCTV surveillance along the entire Kanwar route.

He said that the route must remain safe, smooth, and obstruction-free to facilitate the movement of lakhs of devotees.

The Irrigation Department has been directed to install safety chains and strengthen safety arrangements at Ganga ghats.

The Rishikesh Municipal Corporation has been asked to ensure regular cleanliness, proper lighting, waste management, fogging, and anti-larval spraying to prevent dengue and other vector-borne diseases.

The Health Department has been instructed to deploy adequate medical teams, ambulances, first-aid facilities, and temporary medical camps at strategic locations along the pilgrimage route to provide immediate healthcare services whenever required.

Dr. Chauhan stated that shortcomings observed during last year’s Kanwar Yatra have been carefully reviewed, and this year’s arrangements are being upgraded accordingly.

He also interacted with local residents to gather suggestions for improving the management of the pilgrimage. Responding to concerns regarding cleanliness at the IDPL Ground, he assured that a special sanitation drive would be carried out before and after the fair to restore cleanliness across the entire area.

The District Magistrate directed officials to take strict action against unauthorized shops and eateries operating under fake identities.

The Food Safety Department and the District Supply Office have been instructed to conduct regular inspections of hotels and roadside eateries, ensure mandatory display of price lists, monitor food quality, and take strict action against overcharging or unfair trade practices.

The District Magistrate also reviewed security arrangements at Nepali Farm during the inspection.

Kanwar Mela Schedule and Security Plan

Kanwar Mela 2026 will be held from July 30 to August 11, 2026.

• July 31 to August 4: Expected peak rush of pilgrims.
• August 8 to August 11: Dak Kanwar movement.
• August 11: Jalabhishek at Shiva temples and conclusion of the pilgrimage.

To strengthen security, the entire Kanwar route has been divided into four zones and thirteen sectors, ensuring better coordination among administrative departments and law enforcement agencies.

The inspection was attended by SDM Aparna Dhoundiyal, CO Tushar Bohra, Municipal Commissioner Vijaynath Shukla, Executive Engineer Bhrigunath Dwivedi, Tehsildar Pradeep Negi, and senior officials from PWD, Transport, Electricity, Jal Sansthan, Health Department, Municipal Corporation, and other concerned departments.