Haridwar, April 7 -- Ahead of the upcoming Ardh Kumbh, the Haridwar Municipal Corporation passed a proposal on Monday to shift all meat shops currently operating within the civic body's limits to an outer area near Sarai village, officials said on Monday. Mayor of Haridwar, Kiran Jaissal, said the proposal was approved on Monday keeping in view the religious and spiritual significance of the pilgrimage city and the preparations for the fair scheduled next year. "It is a major move keeping in mind the sanctity and religious sentiments associated with Haridwar, which has been a major pilgrimage city since ancient times. The municipal corporation is constructing 56 shops at Sarai, where the authorised meat sellers will be shifted," Jaissal said. According to officials, Sarai village is located around 10 km from Haridwar city. The decision has drawn mixed reactions from different sections of society. The Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, the apex body of 13 recognised akhadas, welcomed the move. "It is a good initiative to maintain the sanctity and religious character of Haridwar. Millions of devotees arrive here every year to take a holy dip in the Ganga and perform rituals. With the Kumbh fair approaching, the decision will send a positive message to devotees coming from across the country," said Mahant Ravindra Puri, who is also associated with the Niranjani Akhada. However, some councillors have raised objections to the proposal. Ehsaan Ansari, independent ward councillor from Jwalapur, said the civic body should reconsider the decision as it could affect the livelihood of shopkeepers and related stakeholders. "Jwalapur is already outside the main Kumbh area. Shifting the meat shops further away will impact the livelihoods of shopkeepers and also inconvenience consumers who come from different backgrounds to purchase non-vegetarian food," Ansari said. Under the municipal by-laws, the sale, consumption and storage of meat, liquor and eggs are prohibited within a 5-km radius of Har Ki Pauri, which has been declared a dry zone. Most raw meat shops are currently located in Jwalapur, about 6-7 km from Har Ki Pauri. However, the issue gained prominence in recent municipal board meetings after objections were raised by some saints and Hindu organisations....