Sawan Starts: Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra Demands Meat Shops' Shutdown Along Kanwar Yatra Route. MCD Says...

Sawan 2025 Starts: While encouraging voluntary closures for communal harmony, the MCD will target illegal slaughter and open meat sales, said Delhi Mayor.

Noida police issued traffic advisories restricting commercial vehicles to manage the Kanwariya influx, reserving lanes for pilgrims.

Source : PTI

Sawan 2025 Starts: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi on Thursday said there is no provision to shut meat shops on the kanwar yatra routes after Minister Kapil Mishra said that such shops will remain closed during the Kanwar Yatra 2025. Meanwhile, the Noida police have issued a traffic advisory as the Kanwar Yatra begins today. 

In a written reply submitted during proceedings in the MCD House, the civic body stated that under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, it has no authority to enforce a blanket shutdown of meat shops during the annual yatra.

Despite this, recent years have witnessed many shop owners choosing to keep their establishments closed voluntarily during the Kanwar Yatra, a practice seen as a gesture of communal harmony.

“Regional offices have been directed to run a special campaign against illegal animal slaughter and the sale of meat in the open to ensure that the religious sentiments of anyone are not hurt,” the reply noted.

Officials have also been instructed to ensure that meat shops operating along the Kanwar Yatra routes remain covered, maintaining decorum and avoiding public display of meat products.

Echoing the civic body’s stance, Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh said, “We will make a request to meat shop owners to voluntarily shut their shops in deference to the religious sentiments associated with the Kanwar Yatra.”

However, he underscored that while the administration would appeal to legal establishments for cooperation, it would not tolerate unlicensed operations. “Those without valid licences will not be allowed to operate. For those who are legal, we are only making a request. This is about mutual respect among communities,” Singh told PTI.

Meanwhile, preparations for the Kanwar Yatra continue in earnest, with twenty-five kanwar camps established at various locations across the city, ready to support the influx of devotees expected during the sacred pilgrimage.

Noida Police Issue Traffic Advisory

Noida Police has rolled out a traffic advisory aimed at ensuring safe and seamless movement for thousands of Kanwariyas expected to pass through Gautam Buddh Nagar. The annual pilgrimage is set to begin on 11 July.

To manage the anticipated rush, the entry of heavy, medium and light commercial goods vehicles travelling from Delhi towards Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Moradabad and other neighbouring areas will be restricted. These traffic curbs will remain in effect from 10 p.m. on 11 July until 25 July 2025.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vipin Tada shared details of the plan, stating that one lane on key routes will be reserved exclusively for Kanwariyas, while the other lane will accommodate light vehicular traffic.

Several major highways and intercity routes, particularly those linking Delhi, Uttarakhand and districts across western Uttar Pradesh, are expected to see significant diversions and regulated movement during this period.