In anticipation of the arrival of hundreds of thousands of devotees for the annual Shaheedi Sabha in Fatehgarh Sahib, the Punjab government has begun making extensive arrangements. During a high-level meeting on Friday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directed the police and civil administration to ensure that all preparations are completed on time. Approximately 8 million (80 lakh) devotees attended the previous Shaheedi Sabha; consequently, special focus is being placed on traffic management, security, healthcare, and sanitation for this year’s event.
The Chief Minister stated that this event—dedicated to the martyrdom of the younger Sahibzade, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, along with Mata Gujri Ji—is not merely a religious gathering, but an occasion to commemorate the supreme sacrifice made for the protection of humanity and faith. He emphasized that there should be no shortcomings in the facilities provided to the devotees. To assist with the movement of pilgrims, 200 shuttle buses will be deployed. Additionally, the number of e-rickshaws will be increased to facilitate travel for those arriving from nearby villages and surrounding areas, ensuring that the elderly face no difficulty in covering the final leg of their journey.
Crowds and the surrounding areas will be monitored using AI-powered cameras and drones along all major roads leading to Fatehgarh Sahib. Additional mobile towers will be installed to improve network connectivity. A joint control room, staffed by both police and civil administration, will operate 24/7. The Chief Minister stated that he would personally oversee the preparations.
