Ahead of Kanwar Yatra, UP makes QR code stickers mandatory for eateries

Lucknow: With the Kanwar Yatra set to begin on Friday, coinciding with the start of the holy month of Shravan, the Uttar Pradesh government has stepped up its food safety and sanitation measures along the pilgrimage route.

As part of the initiative, all food outlets are now required to display QR-code-enabled stickers that link to the Food Safety CONNECT App.

Officials describe the move as a step toward digital reform aimed at promoting hygiene, transparency, and accountability, particularly as an estimated four crore devotees are expected to participate in the Yatra this year. However, many food vendors see the mandate as a continuation of what they call the “official version of the nameplate diktat,” referring to a controversial government directive issued last year.

Under the new regulations, every food establishment along the Yatra route must have a visible QR-code sticker connected to the Food Safety Connect App. When scanned, it provides key information such as the owner's name, registration number, address, and menu details.

Senior officials in the Uttar Pradesh government have described the new QR-code initiative not merely as a technological upgrade, but as a significant step toward improving hygiene and promoting transparency.

According to government sources, dedicated teams have been deployed to affix these digital stickers across all types of eateries—from upscale restaurants to small roadside vendors. The Food Safety CONNECT App also allows users to lodge complaints if they encounter substandard food, enhancing consumer oversight.

The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has issued additional guidelines requiring vendors to display price lists clearly and uphold cleanliness. Inspections have already led to the disposal of expired items and uncovered juices in key districts such as Muzaffarnagar, Lucknow, Meerut, and Ayodhya, TNIE reported.

Although the state has avoided issuing any new directives related to religious identity or nameplates for this year’s Kanwar Yatra, the inclusion of owner names and registration details in the digital stickers has drawn comparisons to a controversial July 2024 police order. That earlier directive had asked shop owners along the 240-km Yatra route to display their names and phone numbers visibly—a move that had sparked considerable backlash.

Officials have clarified that the Food Safety Connect App is part of a broader initiative aimed at maintaining food safety standards during the monsoon season and large public gatherings such as the Kanwar Yatra.

In preparation for the pilgrimage, senior officials from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Uttarakhand held a high-level inter-state coordination meeting earlier this week at the Commissioner’s Office in Meerut. The meeting, attended by UP Chief Secretary Manoj Singh, DGP Rajeev Krishna, and top officers from the other states, focused on streamlining crowd control, ensuring law and order, and enhancing facilities for pilgrims.

As part of the collective strategy, authorities agreed that all liquor shops along the Kanwar route would remain operational but must be concealed behind curtains. A senior official explained that the aim is to reduce visibility and, in turn, prevent any potential temptation or provocation among devotees during the Yatra.

Continuous drone surveillance will be conducted throughout the Kanwar Yatra, and a revised traffic management plan is set to come into effect from Thursday night, according to officials.

Under the new plan, a separate lane will be reserved exclusively for Kanwariyas, while another will be allocated for light vehicles. Heavy vehicles will be barred from entering city limits during the peak days of the pilgrimage to avoid congestion. To strengthen on-ground oversight, an IPS-level officer will be stationed every 15 kilometres along the route to ensure a swift response in case of any untoward incidents.

To enhance coordination among states, a special WhatsApp-based group comprising officers from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Uttarakhand has been formed. This platform will allow for real-time communication, updates, and collaborative problem-solving during the Yatra, which is expected to attract over 4 crore devotees this year.

While the administration has focused on a structured, administrative approach to managing the pilgrimage this year, sporadic activities by fringe groups have been noted. However, officials made it clear that such actions have not received any form of endorsement from the state.

In cities like Lucknow, authorities are using QR-code stickers not only for transparency but also to gather real-time food quality feedback. This system enables Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) officials to promptly identify and address problem areas.

UP Chief Secretary Manoj Singh emphasised that food quality for pilgrims would not be compromised under any circumstances. He stated that all kitchens along the Kanwar Yatra route would be closely monitored by FSSAI officials. Singh also noted that a wide range of factors—from DJ sound levels to canal water levels—are being actively tracked to ensure a smooth and safe Yatra experience.

He further directed that only pure vegetarian food be made available along the pilgrimage route and instructed departments such as PWD, electricity, and irrigation to rectify previous shortcomings to avoid any mishaps during the event.