New Delhi, Aug 8 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will visit Meerut on Saturday to shower flower petals on Kanwariyas as the annual Kanwar Yatra continues across the region.  The chief minister’s visit has prompted the administration and police to step up security arrangements, with a large contingent of police personnel, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and other security forces deployed across key areas.The Kanwar Yatra has been underway in Meerut for nearly a week, with large numbers of Shiva devotees travelling through the district carrying holy water from the Ganga. Officials have been placed on alert ahead of the chief minister’s programme, while security and traffic arrangements have been strengthened along the routes expected to be used by the Kanwariyas and the VIP movement.Senior administrative and police officials have inspected the programme venue as well as major routes and reviewed arrangements ahead of the visit. Authorities have been working to ensure that the movement of Kanwariyas remains smooth while adequate security is maintained during the chief minister’s public programme.

The deployment includes police, PAC and other security personnel, with officials monitoring sensitive points and key stretches along the route. Traffic management has also been given particular attention as the movement of Kanwariyas continues to increase.Meanwhile, security arrangements have also been strengthened in Delhi along the Kanwar Yatra route. At Chintamani Chowk in Shahdara, local police and traffic personnel have been deployed to manage security and regulate traffic as devotees pass through the area.Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Sah-Zila Mantri Anmol Dubey said the atmosphere in the area had changed in recent years and that flower showers had become part of the arrangements during the Kanwar Yatra.“Ever since the government changed here, the atmosphere in this area has changed. Earlier, people used to walk around empty-handed. Last year, flowers were showered here. This year as well, flowers will be showered,” Dubey said.

He added, “Until now, even the Delhi Police had never showered flowers, but last year, the Delhi Police showered flowers as well. Workers from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad were also present. Flower showering is going to happen here tomorrow as well.”With the Kanwar Yatra continuing, authorities in Meerut are maintaining heightened security and traffic arrangements to facilitate the movement of devotees and prevent disruptions along major routes.

/IANS