Unprecedented arrangements have been made for the security of the Khichdi Mela and the convenience of devotees. Considering the massive crowds and the sensitivity of the event, commandos were deployed in the fair area starting Tuesday. Traffic diversion plans will be implemented from today on January 14.

Special emphasis has been placed on monitoring entry and exit routes, watching for suspicious activities, ensuring women's safety, and strategising for emergency situations. Additional police forces have been deployed at parking sites as well as the fairgrounds. Every activity is being monitored from the control room via CCTV cameras.

Security Deployment Details

In the Gorakhnath Temple and fair area, a massive security detail has been assigned, including six Additional Superintendents of Police, 22 Circle Officers, 84 Inspectors, 489 Sub-Inspectors, 1,365 Constables, and 235 Women Constables. Additionally, ATS Commandos and PAC personnel are managing security. A temporary police station and nine police outposts have been established within the temple premises. For security purposes, the entire complex has been divided into four Super Zones, 10 Zones, and 25 Sectors.

To ensure proper surveillance, seven watch towers have been installed, and adequate lighting has been arranged. Watch towers are located above the Punjab National Bank near the main gate, above the PCO near the police outpost, at the Northern Gate, Sadhana Bhawan, Vishnu Temple, the old Kali Temple, and in the southern part of the fair area.

Traffic Management And Facilities

To maintain smooth traffic flow, four Inspectors, 36 Traffic Sub-Inspectors, 82 Head Constables, 78 Constables, and 155 Home Guards have been assigned to duty. Heavy vehicles and unnecessary traffic will be diverted to alternative routes.

Ten locations have been designated for parking. Holding areas have also been created to control crowds. Accommodation arrangements for 500 devotees each have been made at night shelters (Rain Basera) near Jhulelal Temple, Mahayogi Gorakhnath Complex, and Islamia Girls Inter College. The administration claims that amidst these extensive arrangements, the Khichdi Mela will be conducted safely and systematically.

Traffic Diversions: Effective From Today Until The End Of The Fair

The traffic diversion, effective from 8:00 am on January 14, will remain in place until the fair concludes. During this period, vehicle movement on several major routes in the city will be completely restricted. Traffic police have appealed to devotees and citizens to follow the designated diversion and parking plans to ensure the fair concludes peacefully.

City Route Restrictions:

Tarang Overbridge To Temple: The entry of two, three, and four-wheelers towards Sri Gorakhnath Temple via Tarang Overbridge and Humayunpur intersection is completely prohibited.

Ramlila Maidan Routes: All types of vehicles are banned from going towards Jhulelal Temple via Ramlila Maidan and Mansarovar Temple. Similarly, vehicles going from Ramlila Maidan via Old Gorakhpur and Jhabya Gali to Gorakhnath Temple are prohibited.

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Other Restrictions: No vehicles will be allowed towards the temple from Dashahari Bagh T-point, Kaudiyahwa turn and Jahidabad T-point.

JP Hospital And Dharamshala: Three and four-wheelers are banned from JP Hospital towards the temple via the overbridge. Autos, E-rickshaws, Magic vans, and loaders are prohibited from Dharamshala Crossing towards Gorakhnath Temple. These vehicles will be diverted via Jatashankar, Ganges Crossing, Durgabari T-point, Surajkund Overbridge, and Subhash Chandra Bose Colony.

Small And Heavy Vehicle Diversions:

Small Vehicles: After diversion from the Traffic T-point, small vehicles will proceed via the Railway Station, Railway Underpass, Bichhiya, Kauwabagh, Asuran, and Khajanchi Crossing.

Fertiliser Factory Route: Heavy vehicles coming from the Fertilizer Factory will be sent towards Jangal Kaudia via Jhungiya, Gulriha, Bhathat, Sonbarsa and Mahuatar.

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Inter-District Heavy Vehicles: Heavy vehicles (excluding devotee vehicles) traveling from Varanasi and Lucknow towards Sonauli, Siddharthnagar, Farenda, and Maharajganj will use the Kalesar four-lane, Jangal Kaudia, and Chiutaha route. Vehicles traveling in the reverse direction will use the same route. Heavy vehicles coming to Gorakhpur from Siddharthnagar, Sonauli, and Farenda will be stopped beyond Bargadwa.

Designated Parking Arrangements

Route No. 1: Vehicles coming from Bihar, Ballia, Deoria, Varanasi, Azamgarh, Mau, Kushinagar, Jaunpur, Lucknow, Basti, and Sant Kabir Nagar will park at designated spots.

Route No. 2: Vehicles arriving from Siddharthnagar, Farenda, Nepal, Sonauli, Maharajganj, PP Ganj, Campierganj, Pipraich, Bhathat, Gulriha, and Chiluatal will park on the Bhagwati Mahila College campus. Additionally, vehicles will be parked on both sides of the road from Labor T-point to Ramnagar T-point and at the RPF Ground on the southern end before the Gorakhnath Overbridge.

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Route No. 3: For vehicles coming from Rajghat, Kotwali, Tiwaripur, and Surajkund Colony, the Nathmalpur Orchard has been made a parking spot. Parking will also be available on both sides of the road from the Industrial Area turn to Ramnagar T-point, Ramlila Maidan Adhiyaribagh, and the Maulana Azad Girls Inter College campus.

Route No. 4: Vehicles coming from Green City, Domingarh, and surrounding areas will be parked at Shanti Varan Marriage Lawn and the newly built Astra Complex at Kaudihwa turn.

Route No. 5: Vehicles coming from Shahpur, Asuran, HN Singh Road, and Hadahwa Crossing will park on the land of Deepu Paswan and Bakar Hussain at Ansari Road, Gorakhnath. Vehicles will also park on both sides of the road near Springer School turn.

Administration And Police Parking

Parking for vehicles of police and administrative officers or employees on duty has been designated at Mewalal Gurukul School, near Gorakhnath Temple Gate No. 4 (Exit Gate).

City SP Abhinav Tyagi said, "Security arrangements for the Khichdi Mela are watertight. The safety of devotees is the top priority. Police forces have been deployed by dividing the fair area into zones and sectors. The diversion plan will be strictly enforced so that devotees do not face any inconvenience."