Kanwad mela preparations in Haridwar : A reality check

Barely ten days to go for the Kanwad pilgrimage to begin on the occasion of Guru Purnima, the preparations are far from complete in the city of Haridwar. The snail’s pace of work by the district administration and various departments concerned indicates that it is going to be a mess during the Kanwad fair. Crores of pilgrims visit the holy city during this month and the preparations are made at the district level on the pattern of Kumbh mela. However, during the last leg of preparations of the fair, the Uttar Pradesh irrigation department, National Highways Authority of India, Municipal Corporation and district administration are at logger heads.

Rounds of meetings have been held by the District Magistrate and municipal corporation officials. Heated discussions are on regarding the contract distribution of Kanwad shops during the mela. The officials of Irrigation department draw a major portion of revenue by giving the contract of shops but municipal corporation officials have to clean the area after pilgrimage ends.

The officials of the municipal corporation have released tenders for construction of temporary toilets. Six teams have been formed for cleaning of the mela zone say the officials.

Municipal officer Sanjay Kumar said, “Construction of temporary toilets and urinals in and around areas of CCR, Rodi Belwala, Bairagi camp and Pul Jatwara has been initiated. Tenders for construction division of 120 temporary toilets and 36 urinals have been given. The municipal corporation is also getting the existing toilets and urinals cleaned. In case of need, arrangement has also been done for mobile toilets.” In all the six zones the sanitation team has been formed, he added.

The Neher Patri route which is used by the Kanwads to carry the holy water is in shambles. The recent rains have left the entire track broken at places with mud pools and deep pits.

The Neher Patri passes from Haridwar, Roorkee, Muzaffarnagar, Khatauli, Meerut, Muradnagar upto Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Aside from the mud pools, the department concerned has not tried to shift the electricity poles which stand on the route to enable repair works. The retaining wall on the route is also broken at places. The National Highway is a major challenge during the Kanwad mela, the broadening work of which is still underway since the last Kumbh mela of 2010.

The irrigation department has demanded Rs 40 crore from Kumbh fund for the repair of the roads for kanwad mela. A five metre broad road construction is proposed by the department.

A week ago the district magistrate had taken the stock of the road and asked the PWD to repair the potholes but no work has been initiated yet. The department has demanded Rs 40 crore for repair and broadening of 41 km long Kanwad Patri route which runs along the Ganga canal through the district.

Speaking to The Pioneer, the executive engineer of irrigation department SS Bisht said, “We have sent a proposal to the state government regarding repair of Neher Patri route seeking Rs 40 crore. The road shall be made using hot mix and made easy for the pilgrims who walk barefoot.”

The condition of water supply on the Neher Patri marg is equally pathetic. Most of the hand pumps have gone dry and there is no alternative drinking water arrangement.