Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India, is witnessing an unprecedented influx of tourists and devotees as the New Year approaches. Heavy crowds have converged on the roads leading to the revered Kashi Vishwanath Dham and the iconic Ganga ghats, prompting authorities to roll out massive, Mahakumbh-scale arrangements to manage the situation.
Unprecedented Security and Traffic Measures Enforced
Anticipating a staggering crowd of over 5 lakh devotees for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, the city administration has left no stone unturned. In a decisive move, the crucial Maidagin-Godaulia route has been declared a strict no-vehicle zone to ease pedestrian movement and prevent congestion. This ban extends even to VIP vehicles heading towards the Shrikashi Vishwanath Dham.
For crowd control, smooth traffic flow, and overall security, a force of around 500 police personnel has been strategically deployed across the key areas. Reinforcements include units of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and the Rapid Action Force (RAF), which have been stationed in the sensitive Godaulia-Maidagin zone encompassing the temple complex.
Proactive Inspections and Additional Restrictions
Taking a hands-on approach, Police Commissioner Mohit Agrawal personally inspected the Godaulia-Girjaghar and Maidagin areas on Tuesday evening. Following his review, he issued immediate directives to ban the operation of e-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws on the Godaulia-Girjaghar route.
Further traffic decongestion measures include extensive barricading near the Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya to prevent outside vehicles from proceeding towards Lahurabir. To accommodate the vehicles of visitors, parking arrangements have been created on the university campus itself. Authorities have also prepared a contingency plan: if crowds swell beyond expectations, vehicles will be stopped well before the Lahurabir intersection.
A City Prepared for Spiritual Celebrations
The elaborate preparations underscore the administration's commitment to ensuring a safe and serene experience for the millions who flock to Varanasi to ring in the New Year with divine blessings. By transforming the core temple area into a pedestrian-friendly zone and deploying a multi-layered security blanket, Varanasi aims to manage the colossal devotional surge seamlessly, allowing devotees to focus on their spiritual journey without safety concerns.
