Ghaziabad: In preparation for the annual Kanwar Yatra, the Ghaziabad Police Commissionerate has deployed around 3,500 police personnel along the district’s 126-kilometre-long Kanwar routes. The elaborate security arrangements are aimed at ensuring the safe and smooth movement of lakhs of Lord Shiva devotees travelling from Uttarakhand towards Delhi, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Security Strengthened Across Major Routes
According to police officials, Ghaziabad has three major Kanwar routes:
- 37 km Pipeline Road to Loni
- 39 km route from Kadrabad (Ghaziabad-Meerut border) to Seemapuri Border
- Nearly 50 km stretch on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway
To strengthen surveillance, these routes have been divided into 157 security beats with 502 static deployment points. Around 100 Police Response Vehicles (PRVs), 16 Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), eight watchtowers and 10 control rooms will monitor the movement of devotees and traffic round the clock. The main control room has been established at Meerut Crossing.
Drones and CCTV Surveillance
Police have planned extensive technological monitoring during the pilgrimage. Tethered drones will monitor the Upper Ganga Canal area at Muradnagar, a key convergence point for Kanwariyas arriving through different routes.
Authorities have also installed CCTV cameras along the Kanwar routes to maintain constant surveillance and respond quickly to any emergencies or suspicious activity. Social media monitoring teams will remain active to prevent misinformation and maintain law and order.
Emergency Services on Standby
To deal with emergencies, the administration has deployed:
- 12 fire tenders
- 65 ambulances
- 41 mobile crane vehicles
- 79 hydraulic cranes
- Nine recovery vehicles
A public address system will operate from 33 locations to guide devotees and make important announcements. Special green corridors and emergency exits have also been planned near the ancient Dudheshwar Nath Temple and MMG District Hospital during the peak rush on August 11–12.
Traffic Diversions Already in Effect
The Ghaziabad Traffic Police has already implemented a traffic diversion plan, with restrictions on different categories of vehicles across various Kanwar routes from July 29 to August 12. Commuters have been advised to use alternate routes and follow traffic advisories to avoid inconvenience during the pilgrimage.