Preparations Underway for Hind-Di-Chadar in Navi Mumbai as 15 Lakh Devotees Expected

Elaborate preparations are underway in Navi Mumbai for the two-day ‘Hind-Di-Chadar’ event to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, with nearly 15 lakh devotees expected to attend from February 28.

The programme aims to commemorate the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur, revered in Sikh history as “Hind-Di-Chadar” (Shield of India) for laying down his life in 1675 to defend religious freedom and protect Kashmiri Pandits from forced conversions. The event holds deep religious and historical significance and is seen as a tribute to India’s pluralistic ethos and the protection of diverse faiths.

The event is being organised in collaboration with Sikh religious bodies, while the Konkan divisional commissioner’s office, district administration, police and other agencies are coordinating extensive logistical arrangements.

The venue at Owe Maidan in Kharghar can accommodate around five lakh people at a time, with seating for about 80,000 in the main pavilion, which is in its final stage of construction. Authorities have drawn up a special traffic management plan to handle the large turnout. Thirty designated parking sites have been identified, and a temporary bridge is being constructed at Kopra to ease movement. A dedicated pedestrian pathway is also being developed from State Transport bus drop-off points to the venue.

Given that nearly 25,000 heavy vehicles ply daily in the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority area, traffic regulation is being closely coordinated.

Security will include CCTV surveillance , a central control room and deployment of volunteers and police personnel. Health arrangements comprise five temporary medical centres, one ICU facility at the venue and 350 hospital beds, including 75 ICU beds, reserved nearby. Sanitation, water, electricity and langar services for around 2.5 lakh people have also been arranged.