Srinagar: After the Haridwar Mansa Devi stampede incident, the administration has become alert about the security of religious places across the state. In this sequence, a joint team of administrative officials conducted a field inspection of security arrangements at the Dhari Devi temple in Srinagar. This step has been taken as a precaution after the recent stampede incident at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar.
The inspection team conducted a thorough assessment of the structural condition of the temple complex, electrical system, encroachment and possible threats related to the movement of devotees. On the instructions of Deputy District Magistrate Nupur Verma, Tehsildar-in-charge Deepak Bhandari, Kotwali in-charge Jaipal Singh Negi, SDO Sachin Sachdeva of Electricity Department, representative of Temple Priest Trust and other officials were present. During the inspection, some important suggestions came up, among which the construction of the main entrance on the culvert leading to the temple and an additional security gate on the footpath is prominent. The temple committee described the increasing encroachment, dangling electrical lines and boating activities as worrying from the security point of view.
The administration has recommended necessary safety measures considering the empty spaces located at the starting end of the culvert connected to the temple as a potential safety risk. The officials have assured that a detailed report of the inspection will soon be prepared and sent to the higher authorities, so that immediate safety improvements can be made. During this, the temple priest Manish Dev Pandey drew attention to another serious issue. He told that the connecting road from the highway to the temple, which was built for the convenience of Divyangjan, elderly and VIP visitors, is currently open to the general public. There is neither RTO passing nor crash barriers or parapets installed on this route of about one kilometer.
While the deep Alaknanda river flows under the road. Also, there is a possibility of landslides, stone falling and boulders on this route, which poses a serious threat to the safety of common travelers. The priest and the committee have urged the administration to either close this route completely or set it for public use. It is worth noting that 8 people died in the stampede incident at the Mansa Devi temple in the religious city of Haridwar. While 30 people were seriously injured. This incident raised many questions. After the incident, the administration is busy checking the security and other arrangements of other temples in the state.
