Dumka: There would be no VIP darshan during Shravani Mela, while double-decker vehicles and rooftop travel by pilgrims will be prohibited, officials said after a high-level coordination meeting between Jharkhand and Bihar administrations in Deoghar on Saturday ahead of the monthlong fair.The meeting, chaired by Santhal Pargana commissioner Sanjay Kumar, was attended by the commissioners of Bhagalpur and Munger, deputy commissioners, superintendents of police and senior officers from both states to finalise arrangements for crowd management, security and pilgrim amenities along the 100-km Kanwar Yatra route from Sultanganj in Bihar to the Baba Baidyanath Dham Temple in Deoghar.Deoghar DC Saurabh Kumar Bhuwania said coordinated planning between the two states was essential for the smooth conduct of the religious congregation beginning July 30.Officials said multiple holding points would be set up with facilities such as electricity, fans, toilets, drinking water, bathing arrangements, mobile charging stations and medical assistance. AI-enabled monitoring systems and WhatsApp-based communication networks would be used for real-time co-ordination and quicker response.Officials from Bhagalpur, Banka, Munger and Jamui were directed to strengthen border coordination, intelligence sharing and joint patrolling. Awareness campaigns would also encourage elderly pilgrims and children to carry identification details to facilitate quick tracing if they get separated.Bhuwania said the highest influx of devotees was expected on Sundays and Mondays. “On these days, magistrates will be deployed along with police personnel at all critical locations,” he said. Deoghar officials also informed Bihar authorities about the ban on double-decker vehicles, asked them to prevent rooftop travel and reiterated that there would be no VIP darshan allowed.Asansol divisional railway manager Praveen Kumar Prem inspected Deoghar, Jasidih, Baidyanath Dham and Basukinath railway stations to review preparations for the rush of pilgrims.“Ensuring every devotee’s journey is safe, comfortable and convenient during the mela is our top priority. We are expecting nearly a 10% increase in pilgrims this year and are making all necessary arrangements accordingly,” Prem said.
