Haridwar administration has imposed a ban on devotees taking a holy dip in Ganga at Har Ki Pauri on the occasion of Makar Sankranti amid a surge in Covid-19 cases.

"In view of the increasing Covid-19 cases, the administration has banned the devotees to take a bath at Harki Pauri. Simultaneously, travellers coming to Haridwar, who wanted to take a special bath of Makar Sankranti are being stopped at the border. We are returning them by requesting them or, devotees are sent to nearby ghats to take the holy dips," said Haridwar CO Shekhar Suyal.