Indore–Bhopal highway traffic diverted till Feb 21:10 lakh devotees to attend Rudraksha Mahotsav at Kubereshwar Dham beginning today

Lakhs of devotees have begun arriving at Kubereshwar Dham in Sehore for the seven-day Rudraksha Mahotsav and Shiv Mahapuran Katha scheduled from February 14 to 20. Learning from last year’s stampede and mismanagement, the Dham committee has decided not to distribute Rudraksha beads this time. Authorities say the move is aimed at preventing crowd surges and ensuring smoother movement of pilgrims. The administration estimates that nearly 10 lakh devotees may visit during the week-long event. What other arrangements have been made for the event? Read the report… Indore–Bhopal highway diverted till February 21 The event has led to major traffic diversions on the Bhopal–Indore Highway, one of the busiest stretches in the state. Sehore Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar Shukla said traffic diversions have been implemented not only in Sehore district but also in neighboring Bhopal and Dewas districts. The diversions will remain effective until February 21. “Our priority is the safety of every devotee. We have prepared a comprehensive security plan,” he said. Heavy police deployment across the route About 15 km from Sehore district headquarters, near the Bhopal–Indore bypass, the atmosphere changes noticeably. Barricades line the roads, and police personnel are stationed at every key junction, signaling the scale of the event. Police officers posted at a temporary tent near the road leading to Kubereshwar Dham said their duty began on February 12 to ensure all arrangements were in place well before the festival started. A total of 1,400 police officers and personnel have been deployed. In addition, Home Guards, members of the Nagar Raksha Samiti, and staff from other departments have been stationed at various points. Parking miles before the shrine To prevent congestion near the Dham, vehicles are being stopped nearly a kilometer away and directed toward designated parking zones. The administration has arranged parking over 85 acres of land, with an additional 25 acres kept in reserve. From there, devotees proceed either on foot or via local transport services. Large groups of pilgrims, carrying bags and belongings on their heads and shoulders, can be seen walking toward the shrine. ‘We have doubled preparations’: Dham committee Vivek Upadhyay, who is handling media coordination for the Dham committee, said lessons were learned from previous incidents. “We have doubled our preparations this year, covering every aspect of the arrangements,” he said.Volunteers:
The administration had requested 1,100 volunteers, but the committee has prepared a team of 2,000 volunteers. They will manage parking, food distribution, footwear stands, and crowd guidance. Surveillance More than 250 high-definition CCTV cameras have been installed across the premises. Vendors have been informed that additional cameras can be installed if required. Basic facilities Over 350 permanent toilets have been constructed for devotees. More food counters have been set up compared to last year, each with four separate queues to reduce waiting time. Nearly 500 volunteers have been assigned solely for food distribution. No Rudraksha distribution In coordination with the administration, the committee has decided not to distribute Rudraksha beads during the event to avoid overcrowding and pushing incidents. Special ‘movement corridor’ to prevent stampede One of the key changes this year is the creation of a dedicated “movement corridor” inside the temple premises. SP Shukla described it as a major initiative aimed at crowd safety. “If a stampede-like situation arises, devotees can be evacuated quickly through this corridor,” he said. However, both the administration and the committee maintain that the enhanced arrangements are designed to prevent any such emergency from occurring. District administration ensuring coordination Sehore SDM Tanmay Verma said the district administration is working in close coordination with the Dham committee. “The committee has arranged water, shade, and food facilities. We are ensuring additional water tankers, uninterrupted power supply, sanitation, and coordination with all concerned departments,” Verma said. A test of planning and coordination With an estimated 10 lakh devotees expected over seven days, authorities face a significant logistical challenge. The combination of increased police presence, expanded parking, surveillance systems, volunteer deployment, and traffic diversions reflects a proactive approach following last year’s chaotic scenes. As pilgrims continue to stream into Kubereshwar Dham, officials hope that this year’s enhanced arrangements will ensure a safe and orderly religious gathering—without the tragic disruptions of the past.