City witnesses low turnout of Kanwariyas

VARANASI: With the low turnout of Kanwariyas during this Shrawan month, the district administration and police have relaxed the traffic diversions though the security plan will remain the same.
In comparison to the past, the turnout of Kanwariyas on Mondays and special occasions like 'pradosh' and 'nagpanchami' is low this year.
Floods, early sowing and Maha Kumbh festival which was a few months back have been cited as reasons for rural masses not turning up in the city.
The records of Gyanvapi control room show that highest turnout of Kanwariyas was noticed on 'pradosh' on August 4. On the occasion of nagpanchami about 40,000 Kanwariyas and other pilgrims had thronged Kashi Vishwanath temple till 5 pm on Sunday.
In view of the same ground realities the district administration and police decided to relax the traffic diversions and restrictions. According to SSP AK Mishra, before the commencement of Shrawan month it had been decided to impose complete ban on the entry of heavy vehicles in city area.
Since Saturday evening the movement of heavy vehicles on both lanes of national highway-II between Aurai and Mohansarai remained restricted but the thin presence of Kanwariyas on the reserved lane of NH-II made the police allow movement of heavy vehicles.
Not only this but the officials hinted that if the queues of Kanwariyas would not stretch long the barricades installed between Girjaghar and Godowlia crossings can also be removed on Monday morning.
The SSP said that the officials will keep vigil on situation on Monday morning to decide whether there is a need to keep the vehicular movement restricted on different roads in city area.