Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan Inspects Kumbh Mela 2027 Preparations in Haridwar
Directs Officials to Ensure Timely Completion and Strict Quality Standards for All Construction Projects
Reviews Infrastructure, Pilgrim Facilities, Traffic Management, Safety and Crowd Management Arrangements
Haridwar, September 10, 2026: To assess the preparations for Kumbh Mela 2027 on the ground, Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand Anand Vardhan conducted an extensive inspection of various construction sites in Haridwar on Thursday. Accompanied by senior officials, the Chief Secretary travelled in an urbania vehicle from Rodi-Belwala through Roshanabad to Kankhal, Dakshdweep, Bairagi Camp and the CCR Tower, reviewing the progress, quality, technical aspects, utility and timelines of ongoing projects at each location.
During the inspection, he also reviewed the proposed facilities and arrangements to be provided to pilgrims during the Kumbh Mela.
The Chief Secretary directed officials to ensure that all construction projects related to Kumbh Mela 2027 are completed within the stipulated timelines without compromising on quality at any level. He stressed the need for regular reviews and field-level monitoring, with special attention to projects whose progress is slower than expected.
He also directed officials to identify and resolve bottlenecks immediately and strengthen coordination among departments and executing agencies to accelerate the ongoing works.
Focus on Pilgrim Facilities, Safety and Infrastructure
The Chief Secretary said that a large number of pilgrims from across the country and abroad are expected to visit Haridwar during Kumbh Mela 2027. Therefore, all works related to roads, bridges, pedestrian pathways, drinking water, healthcare, parking, administrative facilities and other essential infrastructure must be completed well before the commencement of the event.
He also stressed that the convenience of local residents, traffic management and safety standards must be given due priority during the execution of construction projects.
Inspection of Rodi-Belwala and Har Ki Pauri Projects
At Rodi-Belwala, the Chief Secretary inspected the administrative road project of the Uttarakhand Investment and Infrastructure Development Board (UIIDB) as well as the redevelopment projects in the Rodi-Belwala and Har Ki Pauri areas.
He directed officials to expedite the projects and ensure high-quality facilities keeping the safety and convenience of pilgrims in mind.
He further directed that arrangements for the long-term maintenance of assets and facilities created under these projects should be finalised in advance. After completion of the five-year contractual maintenance period, responsibility for their permanent upkeep should be formally transferred to the concerned department or local body.
The Chief Secretary directed the Mela Officer to coordinate with senior officials of the concerned departments and submit a formal proposal regarding the proposed maintenance arrangement to the government for approval.
He also inspected the reconstruction and improvement works of the ghats between Hathipul and Alaknanda. He directed officials to ensure strong railings and adequate chains for the safety of pilgrims, besides making pedestrian movement smooth and convenient.
The government has sanctioned ₹4,325.14 lakh for the administrative road project and ₹6,677.21 lakh for the Har Ki Pauri revitalisation project.
Road Upgradation and Greenery Development Reviewed
At the Rishikul area, the Chief Secretary inspected the renovation work of the Old Delhi-Neeti Pass Road. He directed officials to ensure necessary arrangements for smooth traffic and local movement during the execution of the project.
He also emphasised plantation and development of greenery along roadsides, particularly around newly developed footpaths and other suitable spaces.
A sum of ₹2,164.49 lakh has been sanctioned for the renovation of roads under the Public Works Department, including the stretch from Doodhadhari Chowk to Jwalapur and other internal roads in the city.
The Chief Secretary subsequently inspected the improvement of intersections and pedestrian footpath works at Shivmurti Chowk, Shankar Ashram Chowk and from Bhagat Singh Chowk to Bilkeshwar.
The project, estimated at ₹683.60 lakh, is aimed at improving pedestrian convenience, ensuring safer movement and facilitating smooth traffic flow.
Drug Warehouse and Bairagi Camp Bridge Inspected
At Roshanabad, the Chief Secretary inspected the Drug Warehouse under construction at a cost of ₹251.98 lakh. He directed officials to complete the important healthcare-related project within the stipulated timeline.
He then visited the Bairagi area at Dakshdweep and inspected the 60-metre-span bridge under construction. The project has been sanctioned at a cost of ₹1,246.09 lakh.
The Chief Secretary reviewed the construction progress and technical aspects of the project and directed officials to ensure its timely completion while maintaining prescribed quality standards.
Work on CCR-2 Building to Be Accelerated
The Chief Secretary also inspected the CCR-2 building and directed officials to accelerate the construction work so that the facility is completed before the commencement of Kumbh Mela.
He instructed the executing agency to deploy additional resources and undertake day-and-night work wherever necessary. He also emphasised that construction quality must be closely monitored.
Detailed Review Meeting Held at Dam Kothi
Following the field inspection, the Chief Secretary held a detailed review meeting with senior officials of the Kumbh Mela administration and district administration at Dam Kothi.
He reviewed department-wise progress of construction projects and other preparations for the mega event. The executing agencies were directed to ensure adequate availability of manpower and machinery and accelerate the pace of construction.
Strict Third-Party Quality Monitoring
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary reviewed the progress of third-party quality inspections of Kumbh Mela construction projects with the team leaders of TÜV SÜD South Asia Pvt. Ltd., Quality Austria Central Asia Pvt. Ltd. and Bureau Veritas (India) Pvt. Ltd.
He directed the agencies to conduct quality inspections continuously and rigorously. Any deficiency detected during inspection must be rectified immediately, he said.
Alternative Routes and Crowd Management Plans Reviewed
The Chief Secretary also reviewed plans for alternative routes and bridges to provide access to parking areas and diversion routes that may be affected by National Highway projects.
He also reviewed preparations for crowd management and directed officials to formulate a comprehensive and effective action plan based on possible scenarios during the Kumbh.
He emphasised the need for advance planning so that alternative arrangements and emergency response mechanisms are in place well before the event.
Coordinated Efforts Essential for Successful Kumbh
Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan said that the success of Kumbh Mela 2027 will require coordinated efforts by all departments and executing agencies.
He directed officials to work with a team-oriented approach and complete all assigned targets within the stipulated timelines so that pilgrims visiting Haridwar are provided with safe, convenient and well-organised facilities.
He said that every effort should be made to ensure that pilgrims return from Haridwar with a positive experience, with all arrangements related to convenience, safety, accessibility and hospitality put in place well in advance.
Mela Officer Briefs Chief Secretary on Preparations
Mela Officer Sonika briefed the Chief Secretary on the progress of construction projects and other preparations for Kumbh Mela. She informed him that all projects are progressing according to the prescribed timeline and that their progress and quality are being monitored at multiple levels.
She said that safety audits of bridges in the Kumbh area have already been conducted by the concerned departments. The IIT Roorkee has also been requested to conduct an inspection of the bridges.
She further informed that, in addition to the agency appointed for quality inspection of the CCR-2 building, the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) will also undertake a quality assessment of the facility.
During the inspection and review meeting, Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop, Mela Officer Sonika, IG (Kumbh) Dr Yogendra Singh Rawat, District Magistrate Mayur Dixit, Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Bhullar, SSP (Kumbh) Ayush Agarwal, Divisional Forest Officer Swapnil Anirudh, Chief Development Officer Dr Lalit Narayan Mishra, Additional Mela Officer Dayanand Saraswati, Mela Health Officer Dr Manish Dutt, Deputy Mela Officers Akash Joshi and Manjeet Singh, Technical Cell Superintending Engineer DP Bhatt, Public Works Department Superintending Engineer DP Singh, and senior officials from various departments were present.
