The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole today convened a meeting to review the arrangements regarding the celebration of forthcoming religious occasions including Shab-e-Mehraj, following Friday and Maha Shivratri.
Speaking on the occasion, he directed concerned officers to ensure availability of civic amenities including drinking water, power, health besides sanitation facilities at Shrines, Mosques at Aasar-i-Sharief Hazratbal, Aasar-i-Sharief Kalashpora, Jenab Sahab Soura, Ziyarat Sharief Kabamarg, Ziyarat Sharief Khiram, Anantnag, Ziyarat Sharief Makhama, Ziyarat Aham –i- Sharief Bandipora where devotees throng in huge numbers to offer prayers on the night of Shab I Mehraj.
The meeting was attended by DCs, Director FCS&CA, Dir Health Services, Dir Floriculture, officers of PDD, PHE, R&B, SMC, Sanitation, Horticulture Department, Fisheries Departments, SRTC, Traffic Department and police.
On the occasion, Div Com directed PDD to ensure uninterrupted power supply on the eve of Shab-I-Mehraj to facilitate the people besides ensure functioning of street lights in collaboration with SMC.
The PHE was asked to ensure uninterrupted supply of drinking water at all the religious places besides to keep water tankers available at Hazratbal Shrine where a maximum number of people are expected to visit.
Director, FCS&CA was asked to ensure availability of essential items in the market so people don’t face any inconvenience. Similarly, SRTC was asked to notify the location of availability of buses so devotees remain informed regarding the transport facility to reach to the Hazratbal Shrine for prayers.
Div Com also exhorted on concerned officers for identification of parking places at Naseem Bagh and Kashmir University besides he directed the Fire & Emergency department for stationing fire tenders near the shrines were night prayers are to be held.
Concerned officers of SMC was directed to conduct sanitation drive at Shrines, mosques and temples besides a task team for dog catching at Hazratbal Shrine.
Regarding celebration of Maha Shivratri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir instructed Director Floriculture to ensure availability of fresh flowers at Shankar Acharya Temple and Kheer Bhawani.
Likewise, he asked officers of the Horticulture Department to ensure availability if walnuts and Nadru at Shankar Acharya, Kheer Bhawani and other Temples. Similarly, concerned officer of Fisheries departments was directed to ensure availability of fish for celebration of Maha Shivratri.
Besides, all the Deputy Commissioners were asked to take stock of arrangements in view of Shab –i-Mehraj and Maha Shivratri in their respective districts particularly at prime religious locations and ensure availability of all civic amenities to facilitate the people.
Besides, he stressed on operation of control rooms under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners. Similarly, Police officers were directed to make security arrangements while traffic police were asked to chalk a proper plan for smooth traffic movement on identified routes leading to Shrines.