Cops, SDRF personnel to ensure safety of devotees attending Ambubachi Mela
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Every year, the temple draws over 20 lakh pilgrims from different states and countries, with numbers steadily increasing in recent times. However, the Nilachal hill — where the temple is located — remains prone to landslides, having witnessed several such incidents in the past. The alternate route to the temple, which goes through Pandu college road, will also remain closed.
City police commissioner Partha Sarathi Mahanta said in the landslide vulnerable zones, police officers and State Disaster Rescue Force (SDRF) personnel would be stationed to ensure the safety of devotees.
Mahanta added that the road leading to the temple will remain accessible to devotees from 5 am to 6 am from June 22. He said entry would be prohibited beyond official hours for safety and crowd control.
"The devotees will commence their pilgrimage on foot from the foothills, as vehicular movement will be restricted after a certain point. City traffic police has also planned specific routes to manage traffic," the commissioner added.
He said security arrangements for this year's congregation have been strengthened compared to previous years. This is in view of the significant rise in the number of devotees, particularly over the last two years, when attendance crossed 22 to 24 lakh. "Every year, we see large groups of pilgrims arriving in clusters, often leading to chaos that inconveniences locals and others in the area. This time, we will ensure that such disruptions are avoided and the spiritual atmosphere of the Mahayog remains undisturbed," he added.
For the four-day-long event, the gates of the sanctum santorum will be closed from 2.56 pm on June 22 to the morning hours of June 26. Mahanta added that no VVIP passes will be issued during the event, and for two days after the conclusion.
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