Delhi to shut meat shops along Kanwar Yatra route during Sawan, says minister Kapil Mishra

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Delhi’s culture and tourism minister Kapil Mishra on Wednesday announced that all meat shops situated along the designated routes of the upcoming Kanwar Yatra will remain closed during the pilgrimage period, which runs from July 11 to 23.

Addressing the media during a route inspection, Mishra said that both the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Delhi government had jointly decided to enforce the closure. “Municipal Corporation of Delhi has taken a decision and government has also decided that all the meat shops will be closed,” he said, as reported by TOI.

When asked whether the order targets only unauthorised establishments, Mishra clarified that the directive will apply across the board. “The mayor is with us and we have all decided to shut down all such illegal meat shops. Most of these shops are illegal,” he added, as reported by TOI.

This marks the first time such an order has been issued in the national capital and it comes as part of a broader effort to streamline arrangements for the annual pilgrimage. The Kanwar Yatra is expected to draw lakhs of devotees from neighbouring states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab, many of whom travel through Delhi on foot to collect holy water from the Ganga.

Mishra, accompanied by Delhi mayor Raja Iqbal Singh and four MLAs - Anil Sharma, Tilak Ram Gupta, Sanjay Goyal and Pradyumn Rajput - surveyed key stretches from Apsara Border to Karol Bagh. The inspection also covered locations such as Dilshad Garden, Seelampur, Shastri Park and Kashmere Gate.

TOI noted that Delhi Police have already mapped major pedestrian corridors for the yatris, including Apsara border to Rajokri border via Shahdara and ISBT and Bhopura border to Tikri/Singhu border via Peeragarhi. Other mapped routes include Bhopura to ISBT Bridge, Maharajpur to Badarpur via Mathura Road and Kalindi Kunj to MB Road.

“In Delhi, about 2.5-3 crore people participate in the Kanwar Yatra. Grand preparations are being made to welcome them,” Mishra said, as quoted by TOI. He also announced that large decorative welcome gates will be erected and flower showers are being planned for devotees.

On the infrastructure and support front, Mishra reportedly said financial assistance will be directly transferred to Kanwar committees, free electricity will be provided and a single-window system has been implemented for permissions, apart from proper arrangements for water and barricading.

“This time the welcome will be historic,” he added, stating that Delhi is gearing up to be immersed in the spirit of Sawan.