New Delhi: A controversy has erupted in Delhi after BJP leaders alleged that broken glass pieces were deliberately strewn along the Kanwar Yatra route in Shahdara.

BJP MLA Sanjay Goyal claimed that large quantities of glass shards were found scattered over the route used by kanwariyas for the past two days, reported India Today.

"Yesterday, when we inspected the route, we saw glass scattered over nearly a one-kilometre stretch," he said, warning that it posed a serious threat to barefoot pilgrims, according to the report.

Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra echoed the concern, stating that Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had taken serious note of the issue.

"Some mischievous elements scattered glass pieces along the Kanwar Yatra route for nearly a kilometre. PWD and municipal workers are cleaning the route. Local MLA Sanjay Goyal ji is present there. CM Rekha Gupta has personally taken cognisance of the incident," Mishra posted on X.

Acting on complaints by BJP leaders and the Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Police has initiated an investigation. Workers from the PWD and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have been deployed to clean the stretch and ensure safety for kanwariyas.

A PWD worker told India Today TV that despite ongoing efforts, some shards remain visible along the route.

The Kanwar Yatra, which began on Friday, draws lakhs of devotees from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and nearby states, who travel to Haridwar to collect holy Ganga water.

Clad in saffron, the kanwariyas carry the water home to perform 'jalabhishek' at Shiva temples during the month of Shravan.

Authorities expect six to seven crore devotees will participate this year, a significant rise from the four crore last year.

Security and traffic arrangements have been heightened to manage the crowd.

Last week, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta chaired a high-level review meeting to assess preparations.

After the meeting, she said the Delhi government had received a record 374 applications to set up Kanwar camps this year — more than double the 170 applications received last year — reflecting growing enthusiasm among the devotees.