Sambhal (UP), Nov 12 (PTI) At least five lakh devotees are expected to participate in Sambhal's historic 24-kosi parikrama, a two-day religious circumambulation covering around 52 km and 68 ancient pilgrimage sites, beginning November 13, officials said on Thursday.
The parikrama will start from Vansh Gopal Tirth and also cover 19 wells in the district. The administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims.
District Magistrate Ankit Khandelwal on Thursday said that preparations include cleaning of the route, deployment of medical teams, ambulances and fire tenders, lighting arrangements, and facilities for food and accommodation at several locations.
Special decorations are also being arranged at prominent pilgrimage sites, including Chandreshwar Tirth, Bhumeshwar Tirth and Vansh Gopal Tirth, he said.
Khandelwal said around three to four lakh devotees had participated in the event in previous years, and the administration was expecting at least five lakh this time.
More than 400-450 police personnel will be deployed along the route, while magistrates and emergency response teams will remain on duty. Drone surveillance will also be carried out, and the administration has planned flower showers using drones, he said.
Superintendent of Police Vikas Chandra Tripathi said elaborate security arrangements had been made at important points, intersections, religious sites and fair venues along the route.
Police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel will be deployed, while CCTV cameras and drones will be used for round-the-clock surveillance.
Fire tenders will also be stationed at key locations to prevent any untoward incident, he said, adding that the administration's priority was to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage.
