State Public Works Department Minister Rakesh Singh held a meeting at Gaurighat to review preparations for ensuing ‘Maa Narmada Prakatotsav’ to be celebrated in the city on February 4. During the meeting, he held detailed discussions on challenges faced in previous year’s celebrations along with their possible solutions. Singh emphasised making the festival grand and dignified by inviting suggestions from local traders and residents. The State Minister informed that after parking their vehicles at the designated spots set by the administration, he himself would walk to the banks of river Narmada. He urged devotees to do the same and if necessary, use e-rickshaws arranged by the administration.

 

During the meeting, he also discussed organisation of bhandaras, streamlining traffic flow, ensuring availability of ambulances, setting up temporary health camps, fire brigade services and a control room. He also directed authorities concerned for adequate power supply, sound level regulations, a one-way movement system, parking facilities and installation of two watchtowers at Narmada ghat, along with another at Jhanda Chowk. It was decided that no shops would be allowed on the riverbanks. Singh directed senior officials of Jabalpur Municipal Corporation to ensure proper cleanliness at the river banks during mega religious festival.

 

He also discussed provisions for changing rooms for women, mobile toilets, adequate lighting at the ghats, decorative arrangements and removal of temporary encroachments. PWD Singh directed that alcohol consumption at the banks of river Narmada must be strictly prohibited and ensured that a permanent police post be set up at the location. He further mentioned that a team of 10 people from Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra Dal will be equipped with walkie-talkies to assist in managing the event’s security and organisation. Those present on the occasion were Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh, Collector Deepak Saxena, SP Sampat Upadhyay, Municipal Commissioner Preeti Yadav, Additional Collector Misha Singh, SDM Anurag Singh along with other officials, local traders and residents.