**Summary:**
On June 30, 2025, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, convened a video conference to review preparedness for the upcoming Kawad Yatra. The meeting was led by NHAI Chairman Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav, and included participation from Shri Vishal Chauhan, Member Administration, NHAI; Principal Secretary, Public Works Department U.P; Commissioner Saharanpur, Shri Atal Kumar Rai; Commissioner Moradabad, Shri Aunjaneya Kumar Singh; Commissioner Meerut, Dr. Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod; District Magistrates, Police officials, PWD officials from districts along the Kawad route, and NHAI field office representatives from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The meeting focused on addressing potential challenges along the Kawad Yatra route, including water logging, potholes, insufficient street lighting, illegal highway cuts, and the implementation of short-term road safety measures and signage. Chairman Yadav emphasized the need for coordinated arrangements to ensure the Yatra's smooth execution with minimal disruption to road users and pilgrims. He directed NHAI officials to coordinate with local administrations, deploy patrol vehicles, ambulances, and cranes, and ensure adequate staff at toll plazas to assist pilgrims and manage traffic.
Shri Vishal Chauhan instructed NHAI field offices to prioritize commuter and pilgrim safety near construction projects by ensuring proper barricading, diversions, reflective boards, drainage covers, closure of unauthorized cuts, and prominently displaying emergency contact information for ambulances and cranes. Ensuring clean public toilet and convenience facilities for pilgrims was also emphasized. The meeting underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration to enhance coordination for the successful management of the religious event.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of the national highways network.
NHAI: National Highways Authority of India, an autonomous agency of the Government of India responsible for managing the national highways.
Kawad Yatra: An annual pilgrimage of devotees of Shiva, to Hindu pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch holy waters of Ganges River.
Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav: Chairman of NHAI who led the review meeting for the Kawad Yatra preparedness.
Shri Vishal Chauhan: Member Administration of NHAI.
Public Works Department U.P: The Public Works Department of Uttar Pradesh, involved in the road construction and maintenance.
Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh: A city in Uttar Pradesh, India; its commissioner, Shri Atal Kumar Rai, participated in the meeting.
Uttarakhand: A state in India where part of the Kawad Yatra route falls.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
NHAI holds Meeting to Review Preparedness for
Upcoming Kawad Yatra
Posted On: 30 JUN 2025 6:40PM by PIB Delhi
To expedite preparedness for the upcoming ‘Kawad Yatra’, a review meeting through Video
Conferencing was held today by NHAI with the officials from state administration.
NHAI Chairman, Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav led this initiative. Shri Vishal Chauhan, Member
(Administration) NHAI; Principal Secretary, Public Works Department - U.P; Commissioner Saharanpur,
Shri Atal Kumar Rai; Commissioner Moradabad, Shri Aunjaneya Kumar Singh; Commissioner Meerut, Dr.
Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod; District Magistrates, Police officials, PWD officials from the districts falling on
the Kawad route participated in the meeting. Concerned officials from NHAI Field offices in the state of
Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand also attended the meeting.
The meeting aimed to address various issues pertaining to the route of the ‘Kawad Yatra’ such as water
logging, potholes, ensuring adequate/additional street lighting, illegal cuts on the highways, implementation
of short-term road safety measures and road signages, etc.
Addressing the meeting, NHAI Chairman, Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav urged the participants to make
adequate arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the ‘Kawad Yatra’ with minimal disruption to both the
road users and the pilgrims. He also directed NHAI officials to coordinate with the local administration and
deploy adequate patrol vehicles, ambulances, cranes and ensure staff availability at the toll plazas to assist the
pilgrims and efficiently manage traffic flow along the route of the ‘Kawad Yatra’.
Shri Vishal Chauhan, Member (Administration), NHAI directed NHAI field offices to ensure safety of the
commuters and pilgrims around under construction projects, ensure barricading, provide proper diversions,
install reflective boards & signages at the dark spots, drainage covers, closure of the unauthorized cuts and
prominently display contact details of emergency service providers like the ambulances and cranes. Also,
clean toilets & public conveniences for the pilgrims should be ensured.
The meeting also highlighted the collaborative approach between different government agencies to enhance
coordination for smooth conduct of the religious and community events.
***
GDH/HR
(Release ID: 2140877)