Garhmukteshwar’s long-standing demand for the construction of Mela Road has finally been met, as the last hurdle, its location within a sanctuary area, has been removed. The road will now be widened and beautified for Rs 17 crore, paving the way for improved connectivity and development in the Khadar region.

The Kartik Purnima Ganga Snan Mela, held since the Mahabharata era for over 5,500 years, draws more than three million devotees. Until now, pilgrims had to use a single-lane road for transit, leading to congestion and difficulties during the festival. Social activists had repeatedly demanded the construction of a wider, safer Mela Road.

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The project had faced delays because the proposed route fell within a sanctuary area. However, with the Forest Department removing this obstacle, the construction of the Mela Road is now set to begin. Officials said the tender for the road’s construction has already been issued.

In addition, the construction of a temporary riverbank (kaccha ghat) at Lathira has already been approved, and work on a groyne (thokar) is also planned, according to District Magistrate Abhishek Pandey. These initiatives are aimed at strengthening flood relief measures and improving riverbank protection.

During the monsoon season, several villages in the Khadar region remain submerged when the Ganga’s water level rises, disrupting daily life and destroying farmers’ crops. Officials believe that the construction of the ghat and the Mela Road will bring much-needed relief and development to these villages.

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Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also announced plans to link the State Garh Ganga Snan Mela with the Tigri Mela of Amroha district, strengthening the region’s religious tourism and infrastructure.

MLA Harendra Singh Teotia said the sanctuary-related obstacle has been removed, and the road construction will now move forward. SDM Shriram Yadav confirmed that the NOC has been received and the tender process has been initiated for the Mela Road.