PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Nainital
Anticipating a huge influx of devotees during the foundation day ceremony and the fair at the revered Kainchi Dham scheduled on June 15, the Nainital district administration has decided to involve the ex-servicemen in the crowd management task. Preparations are going on in full swing now with the administration, police and Kainchi Dham Trust jointly giving final touches to the arrangements. Notably, lakhs of devotees from India and abroad reach the shrine every year to attend this mela.
Senior members of the temple trust said that a special strategy has been drawn up this time to ensure smooth flow of devotees. “Security is being strengthened in the temple complex and surrounding areas. Besides, Army veterans and volunteers will be deployed to guide devotees, maintain orderly queues and provide assistance if needed,” informed the trust’s secretary Alok Chopra.
He further said that a comprehensive plan has been formulated for glitch-free traffic management. “Parking spaces are being designated and alternative routes will be opened for vehicle movement. Special arrangements are also being made for crowd control, emergency services, drinking water, electricity, health services and fire brigade deployment. Teams from the temple administration, police and district administration will be stationed at various locations to maintain constant surveillance. For the convenience of devotees, help centres will be set up at various locations, providing necessary information and guidance,” he said, adding that they were determined to ensure that every devotee has a hassle-free darshan of Neeb Karori Baba.
Meanwhile, even before the commencement of the foundation day mela, devotees have started arriving at the shrine in large numbers from several states aside from Uttarakhand.
Police said that special traffic arrangements would be implemented from June 13 to 16. Parking spaces have been made at various locations from where devotees will be transported to Kainchi Dham via shuttle buses.
The SSP Nainital, Manjunath TC said that vehicles coming from Delhi, NCR, Haridwar, Dehradun, Moradabad, Rampur, and Bareilly will be stopped at parking lots in the Kathgodam and Gaulapar areas. “Parking arrangements have been made in Bhimtal and Bhowali for vehicles coming from Ramnagar, Kaladhungi, Lalkuan and surrounding areas. Vehicles arriving from Almora, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh will be parked at the Khairna parking lot. Shuttle services will also be available from there. The administration has also arranged diversions on various routes to ensure smooth traffic flow,” he added.
Besides, heavy goods vehicles will be prohibited from operating from June 13 to 16. Vehicles carrying essential goods will be allowed to travel only during the designated times. Furthermore, two-wheelers will be completely prohibited from entering the Kainchi Dham area from June 14 to 16.
Some roadways and KEMU buses will operate via alternative routes. The administration has arranged for shuttle services from 10 locations, including Bhowali, Bhimtal, Khairna, Kathgodam and Haldwani.
The SSP has appealed to the devotees to get information about the traffic plan before setting out on the journey and use only the designated parking places.
