Unsafe paths, no security: Most Haridwar shrines mirror Mansa Devi flaws

Time of India

3 days ago

Haridwar: A day after eight people died in a stampede at Mansa Devi temple, concerns have resurfaced over the safety of other major shrines in Haridwar, many of which struggle with overcrowding, narrow access points and insufficient crowd control.
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Survivors and locals said the tragedy highlighted long-standing failures in basic infrastructure and administrative oversight.
Just 24 hours after the crush, TOI visited several prominent temples to assess their preparedness and found that critical safety issues persist at many locations. At Chandi Devi temple, perched atop Neel Parvat, steep steps and a narrow approach are clogged with makeshift shops, making movement difficult for pilgrims.
There were no visible security personnel to manage the crowd.
The Narayani Shila temple also struggles with poor crowd management, especially during Pitru Amavasya, when large gatherings are common.
At Mansa Devi, crowd control remains ineffective. The bypass route, which took on more footfall after the closure of the back gate post-stampede, is in disrepair. Unauthorised vendors still occupy both the bypass and the pedestrian path leading to the shrine.
Social activist JP Badoni told TOI, "The temple management committee has encroached on land meant for pilgrims by building shops and rooms. I've raised the issue multiple times, but the administration has failed to act against illegal permanent structures, nor have they removed temporary encroachments." He added that Haridwar Municipal Corporation should reclaim its land "illegally occupied by the ropeway company" and use it to improve access for pilgrims.
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In contrast, the Daksha temple in Kankhal appears better managed. It sees around 4,000 to 5,000 visitors daily, with numbers rising to over 10,000 during peak Shravan days. The temple was recently expanded. "Thanks to separate entry and exit gates and the regular presence of 10 to 15 policemen, which is ramped up to 30–40 during peak days, it is better managed than most other temples," said Mahesh Pareek, a regular visitor.
In 2023, then-district magistrate Dheeraj Singh Garbyal had prepared a management plan for the temple, but it was never implemented, residents said.
Encroachments are also rampant along the Har-ki-Pauri stretch, including Malviya Ghat, Subhash Ghat, Nai Ghat, Hathi Bridge, Upper Road and Bhimgoda Road. The absence of a designated zero zone in the area makes it difficult to regulate crowds effectively.
Locals said key recommendations made by the Justice KK Commission after the 1997 Mauni Amavasya stampede are still pending. Social activist Ratanmani Dobhal told TOI, "Encroachments along the riverbanks near Har-ki-Pauri pose one of the biggest challenges. Entry and exit points must also be decongested." He said a comprehensive plan was needed to provide basic facilities to pilgrims at Har-ki-Pauri.