In a bid to bolster safety and improve the visitor experience, Rajasthan’s home department has put forward a comprehensive plan to enhance security at the renowned 12th-century Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the shrine of Muslim saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The proposed measures include expanding the main entry and exit gates, integrating the shrine’s CCTV network with the state’s public safety monitoring center, and clearing encroachments around the premises.
This initiative stems from detailed discussions involving key officials, including the Ajmer collector, police superintendent, intelligence unit representatives, shrine authorities, and the state minority affairs department. The primary goal, as stated by Mahendra Khinchi, a secretary in the home department, is to provide pilgrims with a more secure and comfortable visit throughout the year and to safeguard the historical significance of the site.
The proposal is currently under review by the Union government, which manages the shrine through the Dargah Committee. This move comes after previous security concerns, including a blast at the shrine in 2007 that resulted in casualties, and recent legal claims regarding the site’s history. Additionally, the Union home ministry has requested a probe into any anti-social activities and the presence of undocumented immigrants in the vicinity of the dargah.
To facilitate better crowd management and public safety, the plan also involves renovating and widening two of the shrine’s eight gateways, which are currently considered too narrow, especially during peak pilgrimage times. Connecting the CCTV cameras to the Abhay Command Centre, a high-tech facility for surveillance and crime detection, is also a key component.
Further recommendations include establishing a dedicated waiting area for pilgrims, conducting a fire safety audit, and addressing drainage issues. The development of the shrine is also expected to receive a significant boost, with an estimated ₹96 crore allocation proposed by the minority affairs ministry. Digital ID proofs for staff and thorough frisking of visitors are also part of the proposed security upgrades.