Ghaziabad: With the annual Kanwar pilgrimage set to begin on July 30, the administrations of Noida and Ghaziabad have intensified food safety, electrical safety and civic preparations along the yatra corridor.At review meetings chaired by senior administrative officials and the police in the two districts, administrative officials and police discussed arrangements for sanitation, drinking water, medical facilities, power supply, road repairs, traffic management and law and order. In Noida, special emphasis was given to food safety and to prioritising prevention of electrocution risks, as the pilgrimage coincides with monsoon.District magistrate of Ghaziabad Ravindra Kumar Mandar said Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation has been directed to undertake sanitation drives along the Kanwar route and around major temples till Aug 11. “Officials have also been instructed to ensure uninterrupted drinking water and electricity supply, repair damaged roads, install barricades and signage, provide public and mobile toilets, develop temporary rest areas for pilgrims and strengthen street lighting along the route,” he said.CCTV cameras, drone surveillance and joint deployment of police and civil defence volunteers will be used for crowd management and security, while a comprehensive traffic diversion plan will be implemented to reduce inconvenience for commuters, he added.Healthcare arrangements have also been strengthened in Ghaziabad. Health officials said that 26 medical camps will be operational along the Kanwar route to provide immediate medical assistance to pilgrims. Additional chief medical officer Dr Amit Vikram told TOI that the community health centres at Muradnagar, Modinagar and Loni have been placed on dedicated Kanwar Yatra duty. Thirty ambulances will remain operational during the pilgrimage to ensure a swift response to emergencies. “Doctors, nursing staff, emergency medicines and first-aid facilities will be available at all designated camps,” he said.Meanwhile, in Noida, food safety has become a major focus. “The food safety and drug administration department has been instructed to intensify inspections to prevent adulteration. Eateries serving Kanwariyas have been directed to display price lists to ensure transparency. The authorities will also establish help desks, information kiosks and signboards at key locations to assist the devotees,” officials said.The power department has also been directed to insulate electric poles, secure transformers and eliminate the risk of electrocution. “The forest department has been asked to trim tree branches and clear vegetation obstructing roads and power lines, while civic agencies have been instructed to repair potholes, remove encroachments, improve drainage systems to prevent waterlogging and ensure uninterrupted street lighting along the pilgrimage route,” they said.The health authorities in the district have also been directed to deploy ambulances, medical teams and anti-venom stocks. Temporary medical camps will be established at Kanwar camps and near police stations, while community health centres along the route have been instructed to remain fully equipped to handle emergencies.
