Rajasthan Government Proposes Comprehensive Security Upgrade for Ajmer Dargah

Jaipur | October 30, 2025 The Rajasthan government has proposed a series of enhanced security measures for the 12th-century shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer, one of India’s most revered pilgrimage sites. The plan aims to ensure the safety of millions of devotees visiting the dargah annually while strengthening surveillance and improving crowd management. According to Mahendra Khinchi, Secretary in the Rajasthan Home Department, the proposal includes expanding and renovating key entry and exit gates, linking the shrine’s CCTV cameras to the state’s Abhay Command Centre, and removing illegal encroachments around the premises. The initiative, he said, is designed to guarantee “a secure and smooth passage for pilgrims throughout the year and better protection for this historic and spiritual landmark.” The plan was formulated after consultations between the Ajmer district administration, police, intelligence agencies, and officials from the state’s Minority Affairs Department. It is now under consideration by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which oversees the shrine’s management through the statutory Dargah Committee. The move follows renewed attention on the dargah, which last year became the focus of a legal dispute after a Hindu Sena leader claimed a temple once stood beneath the site and sought worship rights there — one of several recent petitions concerning historical religious structures. The shrine also witnessed a tragic blast in 2007, which killed three pilgrims and injured 15, prompting a long-term review of its security framework. Officials said the proposed security plan includes linking the shrine’s surveillance network to the Abhay Command Centre, a high-tech monitoring hub that integrates live video feeds, real-time data analytics, and AI tools for crowd control, traffic management, and emergency response. This connection will allow authorities to monitor the dargah premises more efficiently, particularly during peak pilgrimage periods. The home department also emphasized the need for renovating two of the eight existing gateways, including the century-old Nizam Gate, which have become inadequate to handle the increasing influx of visitors, especially during the annual Urs festival that draws pilgrims from across India and abroad. “The lack of space during high-traffic days can create a stampede-like situation,” an official said. “Expanding these gates is crucial for the safety of devotees.” In addition, the plan calls for setting up designated waiting rooms for pilgrims, a fire safety audit, and improvements to the drainage system in coordination with the Ajmer municipality. Recent eviction drives have already cleared around 250 unauthorized shops near the Taragarh forest area, part of a larger effort to decongest the vicinity and improve access routes. Khinchi added that the Union Minority Affairs Ministry has proposed allocating ₹96 crore for the shrine’s development under an upcoming modernization scheme. The proposal also includes digital identification cards for shrine staff, linked to the Home Department’s central database, and more rigorous security frisking for visitors. “These measures will help preserve the sanctity and safety of Ajmer Sharif,” Khinchi said, noting that the dargah’s significance as a symbol of unity and faith makes its protection a priority for both the state and central governments. Strengthening Safety at Ajmer Sharif The Rajasthan government has unveiled a major plan to enhance security and infrastructure at the historic Ajmer dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The proposal includes wider entry gates, improved CCTV coverage linked to the Abhay Command Centre, and removal of encroachments for smoother pilgrim movement. Officials say these measures aim to ensure year-round safety, especially during peak gatherings, while preserving the shrine’s sanctity. With plans for digital ID cards, fire audits, and better crowd control, the initiative reflects a broader effort to balance heritage preservation with modern security for one of India’s most revered spiritual sites.