Meat Ban, Shop Name Boards And Drones: Inside UP's Mega Plan For Kanwar Yatra 2026

Last Updated:July 21, 2026, 15:26 IST

The Uttar Pradesh Police has set an ambitious target of a “zero incident, zero accident” yatra and plans to increase surveillance through CCTVs and control rooms

Uttar Pradesh is preparing for the annual Kanwar Yatra with a combination of religious, administrative and security measures, as millions of Shiva devotees are expected to take to the roads during the month of Shravan. This year, the state’s preparations have acquired an added political and administrative dimension, with demands for the identification of establishments along Kanwar routes, restrictions on meat and liquor outlets and a renewed focus on traffic, safety and inter-state coordination.

The Kanwar Yatra in North India is scheduled to begin on July 30, with devotees travelling to collect Ganga water and carry it back to Shiva temples for ‘Jal Abhishek’. The month of Shravan will continue until September 11.

The latest demand has come from Shahjahanpur, where the Vishwa Hindu Mahasangh has urged authorities to ensure that the names of shopkeepers and establishments are displayed prominently on shops located along Kanwar routes. The organisation has also appealed for meat and fish shops to remain closed during the pilgrimage.

The demand comes against the backdrop of the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to prohibit meat and liquor shops along Kanwar Yatra routes. The objective, according to the government, is to preserve the religious atmosphere and prevent possible disputes or disruptions during the movement of Kanwariyas.

The issue of shop identification has emerged as one of the most politically sensitive aspects of Kanwar arrangements in recent years. Supporters argue that clear identification of establishments can improve transparency and help pilgrims make informed choices. Critics, however, have raised concerns over whether such measures could lead to social profiling or discrimination. In Uttar Pradesh, the debate is likely to remain closely watched as the state also heads towards the 2027 assembly elections.

At the administrative level, the focus is expected to be far wider than shop regulations. The state is preparing for large-scale movement of pilgrims through western Uttar Pradesh, particularly along routes connecting Haridwar with districts such as Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad, Baghpat, Hapur, Bulandshahr and other parts of the state. Police and district administrations are working on traffic diversions, route management, medical facilities, sanitation, electricity supply and emergency response systems.

The Uttar Pradesh Police has set an ambitious target of a “zero incident, zero accident" Kanwar Yatra. DGP Rajeev Krishna has directed officers to strengthen security arrangements, ensure coordination with neighbouring states and maintain courteous behaviour while dealing with pilgrims. The instructions reflect the scale of the challenge: the Kanwar route witnesses huge crowds, long-distance walking, heavy vehicle movement and temporary camps operating along highways.

Authorities are also expected to increase surveillance through CCTV cameras, drones and control rooms at vulnerable points. Police deployment will be intensified at major intersections, religious sites, camps and points where Kanwariya routes intersect with regular traffic. Emergency medical teams and ambulances will be placed along major stretches, while district administrations are being asked to ensure access to drinking water, toilets and shelter facilities.

In Noida and Ghaziabad, preparations have already included food-safety inspections, electrical safety checks and civic infrastructure measures along the pilgrimage corridor. The focus is on ensuring that temporary camps, food stalls and electrical installations do not become sources of accidents.

An official with the UP government said traffic management is likely to be among the biggest challenges. As the yatra gathers pace, authorities are expected to create dedicated lanes or diversions for Kanwariyas, restrict heavy vehicles on select routes and regulate traffic on highways connecting western Uttar Pradesh with Uttarakhand, Delhi and Haryana. The objective will be to keep pilgrims safe without completely paralysing regular road traffic.

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