The Supreme Court on Tuesday (August 4, 2026) sought the Union government’s response on a petition seeking the formulation of a standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure the safe and orderly conduct of the annual Kanwar Yatra.
This year’s pilgrimage began on July 30 and is scheduled to conclude on August 11.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta agreed to hear the plea, which has sought a coordinated inter-State mechanism for traffic and crowd management to ensure the safe passage of pilgrims participating in the yatra.
“Issue notice, returnable on August 25, 2026,” the Bench said.
The petition has also sought directions to ensure that routes used during the pilgrimage have adequate access for ambulances, fire services, police vehicles, and other emergency responders.
“Issue an appropriate writ, order or direction directing the Union of India, in consultation with the concerned state governments and competent authorities, to formulate a comprehensive national standard operating procedure for the safe and orderly conduct of the Kanwar Yatra, consistent with the Constitution and the existing statutory framework,” the plea said.
It has further sought periodic reviews of the measures adopted for the pilgrimage, and the submission of compliance reports before the appropriate authorities in a manner prescribed by the court.
In July 2025, the apex court had prohibited the enforcement of directives issued by the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments requiring eateries and food stalls along the Kanwar Yatra route to prominently display the names and other identity details of their owners and employees.
The court had clarified that authorities could take steps to ensure that the Kanwariyas were served vegetarian food in accordance with prescribed hygiene standards and their dietary preferences. It had, however, held that the police could not assume powers vested in municipal authorities or impose restrictions on individual freedoms without the authority of the law.
