A tragic incident occurred during the Kanwar Yatra in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, where a pilgrim named Rohit died from electrocution in Gauramai village, Kadarchowk area. This incident has raised serious questions about the administration's month-long preparations and its 'No Incident, No Accident' goal for the pilgrimage. The aftermath of the accident has exposed sagging power lines, high-tension wires, and a lack of safety nets on rural connecting roads.

Preparations for the Kanwar Yatra began approximately a month ago, with SP City Abhishek Singh appointed as the nodal officer. Senior officials, including the ADG Bareilly Zone, DIG Bareilly Range, and Commissioner-level officers, continuously reviewed the arrangements. Extensive measures were taken on the main Kanwar route for traffic, security, and crowd control. Bushes along the roads were cleared, power lines were tightened, poles were covered with polythene, and transformers were barricaded.

However, it is alleged that the administration's preparations were confined to the main Kanwar route. The electricity infrastructure on rural link roads, used by pilgrims to reach the main route, was not adequately inspected. There was no effective monitoring of high-tension lines, sagging wires, and the absence of safety nets along these routes. Even after the accident in Gauramai, many areas in the district still show dangling power lines, and high-tension lines pass over several connecting roads without safety nets below. Pilgrims passing through these routes with tall trolleys and DJs face a significant risk.

Superintending Engineer Ajay Kumar of the Electricity Department stated that the current in the pilgrims' trolley in Gauramai came from a generator, not a high-tension line. He has instructed power substations across the district to tighten lines and install safety nets. Rohit's wife, Neha, has filed a complaint against Power Corporation officials with the police. The family also approached the SSP's residence, seeking assistance under the Kisan Durghatna Bima (Farmers' Accident Insurance) scheme, which the SSP assured. The District Magistrate has also announced the formation of a committee to investigate the matter.