A geospatial information-based framework of emergency services for the tourist spots of Haridwar city

Abstract

Haridwar is a major pilgrimage destination in India that experiences substantial tourist influx, particularly during events such as the duodecennial Kumbh Mela, the Ardh Kumbh Mela in 6 years and the annual Char Dham and Kanwar Yatra pilgrimages. This large congregation of devotees and vehicles poses challenges for emergency response and urban safety. A geospatial information-based framework has been presented here to evaluate the accessibility and response efficiency of emergency services across nine major tourist locations in the city. Geographic information system-based network analysis, including closest facility and service area modelling, was employed to estimate travel time, distance, and optimal routes to hospitals, police stations, and fire stations. Results indicate that most tourist locations are within 4 km and approximately 5 min of the nearest hospital, while police and fire services provide coverage within a 10-minute response threshold. However, locations such as Maa Chandi Devi Temple and Vaishno Devi exhibit relatively higher response times, highlighting spatial disparities in emergency accessibility. The findings demonstrate that the overall emergency coverage is adequate, certain high-altitude and peripheral tourist zones require improved preparedness and strategic planning. The proposed framework provides a decision-support tool for enhancing emergency response and safety in tourism-intensive urban environments.