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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath showered flower petals on Kanwar Yatra pilgrims in Meerut on Sunday, extending a warm welcome to devotees undertaking the annual religious pilgrimage. His gesture comes amid large-scale administrative and logistical efforts by the state government to ensure the yatra proceeds smoothly and safely.

Devotees Praise State’s Arrangements

Kanwariyas expressed satisfaction with the facilities provided during the yatra.

Speaking to ANI, Dinesh, a devotee, said, "The arrangements provided by the government are good. Every 1 kilometre, excellent arrangements were being made by people..."

Sunil Sharma, another Kanwariya heading towards Greater Noida, also praised the state administration’s traffic and logistical efforts.

"The arrangements are very good; there is no traffic... We are going to Greater Noida, and after coming to UP, we felt good, as the arrangements done by the government are good," Sharma told ANI.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath showers flower petals on Kanwar yatris, in Meerut.#KanwarYatra2025 pic.twitter.com/ZTFQEmPunq

— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2025

Traffic Management and Security Measures in Place

To manage the heavy influx of devotees, the administration implemented a route diversion on the Meerut-Agra highway in Hapur district, restricting the movement of heavy vehicles. Police personnel have been stationed at these diversion points to regulate traffic and ensure the safety of pilgrims.

Muzaffarnagar Police Offer Compassionate Assistance

Muzaffarnagar Circle Officer Rishika Singh went the extra mile for devotees, offering foot and hand massages to fatigued Kanwariyas while also overseeing key support arrangements.

She said, “Our police, especially the Muzaffarnagar police, our administration, and our officials are always on the ground, doing policing to ensure that people don't face any problems, our traffic can run smoothly, and locals also don't experience any issues. Apart from this, we are also helping them by making special toilets for women kanwariyas and providing medical aid... We have made all necessary arrangements for contingencies, and drills are being conducted to prepare for unexpected events. As we are prepared, I do not think it will be a tough task for us."

Political Dig from Opposition

Amid the ongoing pilgrimage, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav took a jibe at the UP government, suggesting that senior officials be tasked with serving Kanwar yatris.

"They should, the Commissioner, DM and SP should be deployed to make food arrangements for the Kanwar yatris. CO and SDM ko lagao unke pair dabane ke liye (CO, SDM should be deployed to provide them with ease). This will perhaps give them relief. This is our Vedic custom. The government should issue an order that says that DM, SP will make food and health arrangements for the Kanwar yatris and CO, SDM unke pair vair daba kar sewa karenge," Yadav, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, told reporters.

Despite the remarks, the on-ground efforts by the administration continue to draw appreciation from devotees across the state.