Devotees walk on a road carrying Kanwars weighing 101 and 151 kg during the commencement of the annual ‘Kanwar Yatra’, in Haridwar on Saturday. (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Kanwar Yatra, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has directed all its zones to shut down illegal or unlicensed meat shops operating along Kanwar routes and near Kanwar camps, which will be operational from July 30. Licensed meat shops violating licence conditions will also face action.The move comes as 308 Kanwar camp sites across Delhi are scheduled to function from July 30 to August 11. In an office memorandum issued on Monday, Additional Commissioner Arun Kumar Mishra directed all zonal deputy commissioners to complete civic preparations before the Yatra begins.The order referred to a July 25 meeting chaired by Delhi government’s Minister for Law & Justice, Labour, Employment and Development Reforms, where it was decided that Kanwar camps would be set up at 308 designated sites, with additional locations added if required. MCD was tasked with removing encroachments from all camp sites before the Yatra. Zonal teams have already been provided with details of the identified locations.Apart from anti-encroachment drives, all zones have been instructed to carry out intensive cleaning, trim bushes, and ensure regular garbage collection at camps and surrounding areas. Sanitation workers and machinery will be deployed in three shifts to maintain cleanliness throughout the event, officials said.The civic body has also ordered regular fogging before and during the Yatra to prevent waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases. Mobile dispensaries will be stationed at major Kanwar camps to provide medical assistance to devotees.Zonal deputy commissioners have also been asked to coordinate with the respective district magistrates, who have been designated as nodal officers for issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for Kanwar camps and overseeing the arrangements.