Kathua, March 24: District Development Commissioner Kathua, Rahul Yadav today convened a meeting of officers of various departments to discuss arrangements being put in place for celebration of the Navratri festival in the district.
Threadbare discussions were held on various aspects related to the smooth conduct of the festival besides department wise roles were assigned to the concerned officers to ensure all necessary arrangements are made to facilitate devotees during Navratri days.
Arrangements for transportation, sanitation, drinking water, power supply, first aid facilities, market checking and security were thoroughly discussed in the meeting.
The Deputy Commissioner directed for the repair of bridle paths leading to the temples and shrines. Similarly, instructions were passed on to the PHE functionaries to ensure regular supply of drinking water at the shrines and important Yatra path routes. The PDD was directed to ensure uninterrupted power supply to all the shrines.
The Police Department was directed to ensure deployment of security personnel at important temples and Shrines. Instructions were also passed for regulating traffic with sufficient parking provision at identified locations of important shrines to avoid rush and congestion.
The CEO Lakhanpur Sarthal Development Authority (LSDA) was directed to ensure timely repair of High Mast lights installed by the authority at different temples and on yatra routes.
The DC called upon the members of management committees of temples and shrines to observe zero tolerance against plastic and thermocol, and use biodegradable Pattal-Doona for langar/bhandara as being practiced by Mata Sukrala Ji and Mata Bala Sundri Ji Shrine Board.
The Chief Medical Officer was directed to make available necessary medical facilities at all the shrines with life saving drugs, first aid along with a team of doctors and Ambulance to meet any exigencies.
The FCS&CA department and Tehsildar concerned were directed to conduct regular market inspections to keep check on overcharging, quality of eatables, adulteration and profiteers.
The RTO Kathua was directed to ensure display of fare list on buses for convenience of the pilgrims besides keeping a check on overcharging. The Fire and Emergency Services will deploy fire tenders to meet any eventuality, the DC ordered.
The Deputy Commissioner directed Municipal Authorities to ensure cleanliness in and around shrines and to make available public clean toilets.
The ADC and SDM concerned were directed to deploy Duty Magistrates for maintaining law and order at important shrines of the district.
The Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, while listening to the issues highlighted by the Mandir Management Committees, assured all help from the administration.
On the request of Mandir Management of Mata Asha Purni Mandir for permission to perform Aarti in wee hours, the DC approved the request for the same with the condition to observe Covid protocol. He also called upon the Mandir Committees to have the provision of CCTV to keep vigil amid huge rush of devotees during Navratri days. He also directed authorities to have adequate provision of sanitizer or hand washing at entry points of the Shrines.
While highlighting the initiatives taken by Mata Sukrala Ji and Mata Bala Sundri Shrine Board, the DC said that a common façade has been created for entire bazaars near the Sukrala Mata Shrine in an effort to facelift the area and made available civic amenities.
ADC Billawar, ACD, ACR, DSP (HQ), AD FCS &CA, Executive Engineers, all other concerned officers of the concerned departments were present in the meeting.
