2026.02.20 (Vrindavan Today News): A high-level review meeting regarding preparations for the world-famous Laddu Holi and Lathmar Holi celebrations was held at the Public Works Department Inspection House auditorium in Barsana, under Goverdhan Tehsil of Mathura district. The meeting was chaired by Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Mrs. Anupam Kulshreshtha and attended by Divisional Commissioner Nagendra Pratap, Deputy Inspector General of Police Shailesh Kumar Pandey, District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh, and Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar, along with officials from various departments.
The review covered arrangements for Laddu Holi in Barsana on February 24, 2026, Lathmar Holi in Barsana on February 25, 2026, and Lathmar Holi in Nandgaon on February 26, 2026.
Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar informed that Barsana has been divided into 7 zones and 18 sectors for effective management. A total of 56 parking sites and 94 barricading points are being developed. Thirteen medical aid centres and five two-wheeler ambulances will be deployed. Additionally, five watchtowers and fire safety arrangements at five locations will be ensured.
ADG Anupam Kulshreshtha directed officials to maintain strict monitoring of social media round the clock and take immediate action against rumor-mongers. She instructed that sanitation workers, health personnel, and electricity staff be issued identity passes and provided with uniform dress for easy identification. The Chief Veterinary Officer was directed to capture stray animals and shift abandoned cattle to gaushalas. She also emphasized courteous and respectful behaviour by all officials and instructed uninterrupted power supply during the festivities.
She further directed the police department to install banners and posters displaying important helpline numbers such as 1090, 1930, 112, and control room contacts. Deployment of Anti-Romeo squads in the fair area was also ordered.
Divisional Commissioner Nagendra Pratap instructed removal of dilapidated structures and encroachments from roads. The use and sale of fake, contaminated, or chemical-based colours were strictly prohibited, and strict action was ordered against violators. All e-rickshaws will be identified and assigned designated routes. Adequate lighting, drinking water, toilets, ramps, signboards, and public address systems must be ensured at all parking locations.
Officials informed that decorative lighting and façade illumination works are underway at major temples across Mathura district, including Shri Radharani Temple in Barsana and Shri Nand Temple in Nandgaon.
DIG Shailesh Kumar Pandey emphasized polite and service-oriented conduct by all personnel toward devotees and tourists. Meetings will be held with hotel and parking operators, who will advise visitors to leave footwear at hotels or vehicles due to the single-route darshan system. Strict action was ordered against sellers of counterfeit gulal.
District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh directed the Barsana Nagar Panchayat and Mathura-Vrindavan Development Authority to ensure high-quality painting, lighting, and beautification of major roads, streets, and public squares. Arrangements for cultural programmes, decorative installations, entrance gates, selfie points, and live telecast in the fair area must be completed on time.
The Food Safety and Drug Administration was instructed to conduct special drives for food sampling, hold awareness meetings with hotel and restaurant operators, and ensure the use of quality food items. Adulterated and contaminated products must be destroyed, while ensuring that no harassment of shopkeepers or restaurant owners occurs.
Under Rangotsav 2026, 23 entrance gates are being installed across Mathura district, including five in Barsana and four in Nandgaon. A total of 12 selfie points are being developed at major locations, including five in Barsana and two in Nandgaon.
The District Magistrate also directed organizers of community feasts (bhandaras) to maintain cleanliness, installation of dustbins across locations, and deployment of sanitation staff. The Public Works Department was instructed to strengthen barricading around kunds and police barriers. The Panchayati Raj Department was directed to ensure robust sanitation arrangements.
The fair has been declared a plastic-free event, and officials were instructed to complete helipad construction on time. Health authorities were directed to keep nearby hospitals on alert mode, ensure ambulance readiness, and coordinate with doctors in Barsana and Nandgaon.
SSP Shlok Kumar further instructed installation of directional signage for parking areas and regular inspections to ensure facilities such as lighting, drinking water, toilets, ramps, and signboards. Roadways bus operations will follow a single-route traffic plan. Continuous surveillance through CCTV cameras, drones, and public announcement systems will be maintained. Active lost-and-found centres and control rooms will also be operational.
Among those present at the meeting were DFO Venkat Shrikar Patel, Additional District Magistrate (Finance & Revenue) Dr. Pankaj Kumar Verma, SP Rural Suresh Chandra Rawat, SP Traffic Manoj Kumar, SDM Goverdhan Prajakta Tripathi, Assistant Commissioner (Food Safety & Drug Administration) Dhirendra Pratap Singh, and other departmental officials.
