Kanwar Yatra – Delhi Civic Body Orders Closure of Illegal Meat Shops on Pilgrimage Routes
Kanwar Yatra – As preparations gather pace for the upcoming Kanwar Yatra, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has directed its officials to strengthen enforcement and civic services across the city to ensure smooth arrangements for devotees.
Illegal Meat Shops Face Strict Action
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has instructed all 12 of its administrative zones to immediately shut down unauthorised meat shops operating along the designated Kanwar Yatra routes and in areas surrounding Kanwar camps. Officials have also been asked to take action against licensed meat outlets if they are found violating the conditions laid down in their operating permits.
The annual pilgrimage is scheduled to begin later this week, with thousands of devotees expected to travel through the national capital during the festival period.
Preparations Ordered Before Pilgrimage Begins
According to civic officials, the MCD has directed every zonal deputy commissioner to complete all required civic arrangements before the yatra starts. A formal office memorandum issued earlier this week instructed officials to ensure that identified Kanwar camp locations are free from encroachments before devotees begin arriving.
Authorities have already circulated details of the approved camp locations to the concerned zones. Officials added that additional camps could also be approved if the need arises during the pilgrimage.
Encroachment Removal Given Priority
The civic administration has been assigned the responsibility of removing unauthorised structures and encroachments from all designated Kanwar camp sites well in advance. This exercise is intended to provide sufficient space for camp operations and ensure that pilgrims can access the facilities without obstruction.
Officials have been asked to closely monitor the identified locations and complete the clearance work before the camps become operational.
Sanitation Measures to Continue Round the Clock
Apart from enforcement against illegal establishments, the MCD has directed all zones to intensify sanitation efforts throughout the pilgrimage period. Comprehensive cleaning operations will be carried out at Kanwar camps as well as nearby public areas.
The planned activities include deep cleaning of roads and public spaces, removal of overgrown vegetation, and regular collection and disposal of solid waste. Civic officials said sanitation workers, along with cleaning equipment and machinery, will operate in three separate shifts to maintain cleanliness throughout the day and night.
The continuous deployment is aimed at ensuring hygienic conditions for pilgrims and reducing inconvenience during the large-scale religious gathering.
Hundreds of Kanwar Camps Planned Across Delhi
Officials said that a total of 308 Kanwar camps are expected to function across Delhi between July 30 and August 11. These camps will provide essential support services to devotees participating in the annual pilgrimage.
The civic body’s preparations are focused on ensuring that the camps are ready before operations begin and that all necessary municipal services remain available throughout the event.
Annual Pilgrimage Draws Large Number of Devotees
The Kanwar Yatra is one of the country’s major annual religious pilgrimages, held during the holy month of Shravan. Every year, lakhs of Kanwariyas travel to collect sacred water from the Ganga River and carry it to Shiva temples, where it is offered as part of traditional religious rituals.
With a significant rise in pilgrim movement expected over the coming days, Delhi’s civic authorities are concentrating on law enforcement, sanitation, and infrastructure management to facilitate the smooth conduct of the yatra while maintaining public order and civic services.