Calls for hassle-free facilities for devotees
Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a high-level meeting at Hazratbal Shrine to review the arrangements being put in place for the forthcoming Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) being celebrated during Rabi al-Awwal, the third month of Islamic lunar calendar.
Describing the occasion as one of the most important events in the Muslim religious calendar, the Chief Minister stressed the need to make every possible effort to ensure the celebrations are conducted smoothly and devotees face no inconvenience.
Reviewing the arrangements, the Chief Minister, according to an official press release, highlighted traffic management and facilitation of devotees as the foremost priorities.
He underlined the need for proper parking arrangements, adherence to designated traffic routes, provision of shuttle services, and strict regulation of fare charges to prevent overcharging of devotees. “People must not face any inconvenience in reaching the holy Hazratbal shrine. Transport should be managed in a manner that ensures safety, comfort, and it should be available easily and frequently,” he stated.
On security arrangements, Omar Abdullah called for visible police presence, both male and female, to instill a sense of safety and prevent incidents of theft or disorder. He directed that sufficient deployment of lady police should be ensured in sensitive zones.
The Chief Minister instructed the Power Development Department to provide uninterrupted electricity during the Eid Milad celebrations. He said alternate arrangements such as generators with adequate fuel should be kept ready to deal with emergencies.
On sanitation, the CM stressed the use of newly procured mobile toilet units, regular deployment of sanitation workers, and proper waste management in and around the shrine. He also directed to maintain availability of dewatering pumps, ambulances, fire tenders, health clinics, and standby hospitals to meet any contingency.
The Chief Minister further underscored the need to regulate the activities of NGOs and voluntary groups providing food, water, and other services. He directed that such camps should be set up in designated areas to avoid congestion and obstruction in movement.
Omar Abdullah also instructed all officers to ensure similar arrangements at other major shrines across Srinagar, including Aasar-i-Sharief Hazratbal, Jenab Sahib Soura, Aasar-i-Sharief Kalashpora, and other prominent religious locations, so that uniform facilities and safety measures are available to devotees everywhere.
The Chief Minister also stressed on making adequate availability of safe and clean drinking water which must be ensured throughout the religious occasion, along with sufficient deployment of public transport. He also directed the Food Safety Department to carry out regular checks to maintain quality and hygiene of food items being distributed and sold during the occasion.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, SSP Srinagar and heads of departments briefed the Chief Minister about the preparations, including arrangements for electricity, health services, medicines, paramedics, mobile sanitation units, and parking facilities.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the CM, Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Hazratbal Salman Ali Sagar, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Director Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Commissioner SMC, Director Health Services Kashmir, Superintending Engineer R&B, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, SDM East, CMO Srinagar, Tehsildar Khanyar/North, Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, senior officers of Traffic, PHE, PDD, Fire & Emergency Services, officers of other line departments, Tehsildar J&K Wakf Board, and administrators of prominent shrines.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister visited the Hazratbal Shrine, which houses the revered Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and took stock of the arrangements being made for the forthcoming observance of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW).
During his visit to the shrine premises, Omar Abdullah interacted with the shrine management, Wakf Board officials, and officers of the district administration. He was briefed about the measures being put in place to facilitate the expected large gatherings of devotees, particularly to address the issues of sanitation, electricity, water supply, health services, and fire safety.
“Will assess flood mitigation measures taken after 2014 deluge”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said his government would seek answers from the administration to understand what flood mitigation measures were taken in Jammu and Kashmir after the 2014 deluge.
His remarks came after flash floods triggered by incessant rains wreaked havoc in Jammu and caused water bodies, including the Jhelum river, in Kashmir to swell.
“There were heavy rains in both Jammu as well as in Kashmir. God saved us. Had the rainfall continued for a day or more, we would have faced immense difficulties. But the water has started receding. It recedes faster in Jammu and takes some time here in Kashmir.
“We are out of danger, but I will have to sit with the officers and understand what we have done after 2014,” Abdullah told reporters here.
He said just two days of rain brought Kashmir to the brink of floods.
“What will happen if it rains for four days? We will face a situation like 2014. We had then (2014) endured it (rainfall) for seven days and drowned on the eighth day. But now, we endured two days of rain with difficulty,” he said.
Abdullah said the government needs to take corrective measures as people cannot live in fear of floods every year.
“After some days, I will sit with the officers and try to understand what we did after 2014. Where was the money spent? How much carrying capacity of the flood channel was increased? How much did we succeed in increasing the carrying capacity by undertaking dredging in the Jhelum?
“We have to take corrective measures wherever we are lagging…,” he said. (PTI)
