Bureaucrats, barricades, and bhakts – all set for a monsoon pilgrimage on wheels (and feet)
New Delhi: In a bid to turn highways into havens for saffron-clad saints and Shiva devotees, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) today rolled out the holy carpet — or rather, reviewed it thoroughly — to prepare for the upcoming Kawad Yatra.
Leading the virtual congregation was NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav, who chaired a comprehensive review meeting via video conferencing with an entourage of top officials from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and NHAI’s own field battalion. No pothole was left unmentioned, no illegal highway cut spared the scrutiny of divine logistics.
Also joining the ‘Mission Kawad Safe Passage’ were Vishal Chauhan, Member (Administration), NHAI; a holy trinity of Commissioners from Saharanpur, Moradabad, and Meerut; several District Magistrates, police brass, PWD officials, and an army of NHAI engineers preparing for what could be described as India’s largest temporary highway footfall event.
🚩 Key points from the yatra-briefing include:
- Pothole Penance: Immediate repairs, resurfacing, and divine intervention to ensure ‘no sole left behind’.
- Drain the Pain: Water-logging fixes, because even bhakts don’t appreciate surprise swimming lessons.
- Light the Way: Additional lighting to prevent “divine misdirections” after dusk.
- Cut the Cuts: Unauthorized highway cuts to be sealed like a bureaucratic dam against chaos.
- Highway Hospitality: Clean toilets, emergency contact boards, and functioning cranes to assist both pilgrims and perplexed commuters.
“Let us ensure the pilgrims move forward with devotion, not disruption,” said Chairman Yadav, encouraging close coordination between NHAI and local administrations. The emphasis: seamless travel for both the devout and the daily driver.
Vishal Chauhan reinforced that safety near construction zones would be sacrosanct — with reflective signage, barricading, and emergency support on standby. “This isn’t just about building roads; it’s about building trust during tradition,” he noted.
🚧 Divine Coordination in Action
The review was more than just a checklist – it was a symphony of state synergy, where PWD officials and district teams agreed to sync efforts with NHAI field units. From Saharanpur to Haridwar, the entire Kawad corridor will be under active vigil, both human and electronic.
In essence, it was a war room meet to prepare for a peaceful pilgrimage — with a holy mix of infrastructure, administration, and faith.
🕉️ Journey:
As lakhs of Kawariyas prepare to walk their way to divinity, NHAI and state agencies seem committed to ensuring the only bumps on their journey are metaphorical — not on the tarmac.
