The Delhi government is making last-minute checks for amenities for over two crore devotees who are expected to walk along the annual Kanwar Yatra route in the capital, which starts on Friday.

The steps taken by the government for the same include direct transfer of funds to the bank accounts of Kanwar Samitis, along with makeshift camp facilities that will receive 1,200 units of free electricity, first-aid centres, and health check-up camps. Meat shops will be shut within a proximity of 500 metres along the Yatra route in the city.

Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra said on Wednesday, “We have taken this decision jointly with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to shut the meat shops. Most of these shops are run illegally.”

“For the first time, money will be transferred directly to the bank accounts of Kanwar Samitis—a decision taken by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta—along with a single window for all the permissions. We are here to inspect all the facilities along the route,” the minister further added.

What is Kanwar Yatra

The annual Kanwar Yatra is a Hindu devotional journey undertaken by devotees of Lord Shiva, mostly on foot, to fetch water from the river Ganga, which is considered holy.

MCD Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh and five MLAs, including Anil Sharma, Telegram Gupta, Sanjay Gopal, Ajay Mahar, and Pradhuman Rajput, inspected the Yatra route from Apsara Border to ISBT Kashmiri Gate. “I have already sent an appeal and received a positive response from the other community… I don’t think that order needs to be strictly enforced this time,” said the MLA. According to him, Delhi is ready to give a historic welcome to the Kanwariyas.