Dehradun: Uttarakhand has formally begun preparations for the successful organisation of Kumbh Mela 2027 in Haridwar, with the state government appointing two senior IPS officers to key mela-related positions as part of an early administrative and security framework.
The transfers, announced on Friday, signal the beginning of large-scale planning for one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, where crowd control, law and order, traffic regulation, and emergency response are expected to be major operational priorities.
Yogendra Singh Rawat Appointed IG Kumbh 2027
In an order issued by the state home department and signed by Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli, senior IPS officer Yogendra Singh Rawat has been appointed as Inspector General (IG), Kumbh 2027.
Rawat was previously serving as Inspector General, Personnel/Headquarters, and that responsibility has now been withdrawn to allow him to focus exclusively on Kumbh preparations.
As IG Kumbh, he will oversee strategic planning for policing, coordination among departments, deployment models, and security architecture for the mega religious event.
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Ayush Agarwal Posted as SSP Kumbh Mela
IPS officer Ayush Agarwal, who was serving as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Tehri, has been transferred to Haridwar as SSP Kumbh Mela.
His role will involve direct field-level policing, crowd movement regulation, law-and-order planning, and coordination with intelligence and local administration during the Kumbh preparations and eventual event management.
Other IPS Transfers Announced
The state government also reassigned two more IPS officers as part of the reshuffle:
- Sweta Chaubey, Commandant of India Reserve Battalion (IRB) II, has been appointed SSP Tehri
- Vishakha Ashok Bhadane, who was serving as SP Crime Against Women/CCTNS/Training, will take over as Commandant, IRB II
These transfers are being seen as part of broader police restructuring linked to upcoming administrative priorities.
Early Security Planning for Massive Religious Gathering
Kumbh Mela in Haridwar draws millions of pilgrims, saints, akharas, and tourists from across India and abroad.
Given the scale of attendance, early deployment of senior officers is considered critical for:
- route planning
- anti-stampede protocols
- intelligence coordination
- riverbank security
- VIP movement management
- disaster preparedness
Officials say groundwork will intensify over the coming months with inter-departmental coordination expected across police, health, transport, irrigation, and urban development departments.
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