Uttar Pradesh's temple cities like Mathura and Vrindaban beef up security ahead of New Year eve

MATHURA: The district administration has beefed up security in the temple cities of Mathura, Vrindaban and Goverdhan besides having prepared an extensive plan to counter traffic congestion as pilgrims in huge numbers are expected to arrive here during New Year's eve.

Authorities expect a heavy influx of pilgrims even though special programs are not being organized at the temples in the three districts during the occasion.

District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar said, "Security is being beefed up. Special buses would ply between Mathura-Vrindaban and Mathura-Goverdhan. A traffic plan has also been chalked out."

He has also appealed the pilgrims to use "shared vehicles" in order to avoid traffic congestion.

"Though every effort has been made to manage vehicle parking, it all depends on the number of vehicles coming to Vrindaban and Goverdhan," DM added.

"Since every spiritual as well as religious person on New Year prefers to seek divine blessings, temples become over-crowded," Avashesh Swami, the head of Geeta Ashram, Vrindaban said.

In Vrindaban, rush is expected at Bankey Behari, Radha Raman and Radha Damodar temples, while Daan Ghati temple and Parikrama Marg in Goverdhan are also expected to be crowded.

In Mathura, Keshav Dev temple, Sri Krishna Janmasthan and Dwarkadheesh temple in Raja Dhiraj Bazar are likely to act as a magnet for pilgrims.

Entry of heavy vehicles and four wheelers to Vrindaban will remain suspended from afternoon of December 31 to midnight of January 1, 2016. Auto-rickshaw and e-rickshaw will be available at various parking points for the convenience of the pilgrims.

"Parking for Vrindaban pilgrims coming through Yamuna Expressway is arranged at Panigaon and for those who come through NH-2 can park their vehicles in front of Rukmini Vihar. Vehicles from Mathura side can park at Brijvasi Ahata," traffic SP Ashutosh Dwivedi said.

According to City SP Shailesh Pandey, to "avoid" traffic jam in Goverdhan, four wheelers can park at Ekta Bhavan, Mathura block and Paintha parking.

Entry of heavy vehicles to Goverdhan has also been banned from afternoon of December 31 to midnight of January 1, 2016, he added.