In the wake of the recent stampede on the stairs leading to Mansa Devi Temple, Uttarakhand authorities have moved swiftly to enhance safety and crowd management at key religious sites across Haridwar. From deploying AI-powered cameras for real-time monitoring of pilgrims to conducting mandatory safety audits and fire preparedness drills every 15 days, a comprehensive action plan is now being rolled out to ensure orderly and secure pilgrimage experiences.
Inspector General (Garhwal) Rajeev Swaroop has directed all seven districts in the region to conduct bi-weekly security audits and carry out regular mock drills at prominent religious sites. He emphasized the need for dedicated crowd control SOPs based on peak pilgrimage timings and called for the deployment of at least one sub-inspector at each site to ensure accountability.
Simultaneously, District Magistrate Mayur Dixit has announced that Artificial Intelligence-based CCTV cameras will soon be installed at both Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi temples to scientifically assess crowd capacity and enable real-time monitoring. Pilgrim entry will be regulated based on the maximum holding capacity of the temple premises, determined through a scientific survey.
Further, a joint meeting involving temple committees, police, forest officials, and district administration will soon be held to redesign crowd flow, emergency response systems, and entry-exit protocols. The administration has also called for installing fire safety equipment and ensuring robust electrical safety with active coordination between local authorities and technical departments.
The overarching aim of these measures is to prevent overcrowding, reduce the risk of stampedes, and ensure that devotees can perform their religious rituals peacefully and safely.
