Leh: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena on Friday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess preparations for the historic public exposition of the Holy Relics of Gautama Buddha in Leh.
With the arrival of the sacred relics drawing near, the Lieutenant Governor undertook a comprehensive review of arrangements related to cleanliness, sanitation, security, traffic management, parking, drinking water, toilet facilities, power supply, transportation and other critical infrastructure at designated venues. Emphasising the importance of the occasion, he stressed the need for meticulous planning and seamless coordination among all departments to ensure a safe, orderly and spiritually enriching experience for devotees and visitors.
During the meeting, he directed that designated blocks accommodating around 100 people each be created to facilitate better crowd management, particularly in view of the large gatherings expected during the veneration of relics and Buddha Purnima celebrations on May 1, so as to avoid any stampede-like situations. He also called for the deployment of mobile toilets at Jivetsal to meet increased sanitation demands and emphasised strict avoidance of disposable plastic cups to minimise waste generation, alongside deployment of dedicated cleaning teams and installation of dustbins at appropriate locations.
The Lieutenant Governor further instructed the removal of broken fences, stones and boulders along roadsides to ensure a neat environment, while directing the deployment of garbage collection vehicles and the use of jet sprays for cleaning roads and tiled surfaces to control dust and maintain hygiene. He also asked for whitewashing of boundary walls along ITBP stretches to enhance aesthetic appeal.
To facilitate the smooth movement of devotees, he directed the provision of adequate transport facilities from the airport, including designated drop-off points and arrangements for ferrying people from villages, along with proper dissemination of bus schedules. He also emphasised traditional welcome arrangements, with people in traditional attire lining the route from the airport to Jivetsal on April 29, the day of arrival of the sacred relics, and up to Sengge Namgyal Chowk on April 30 in view of the arrival of dignitaries.
The Lieutenant Governor instructed that potable drinking water be ensured by making taps at Jivetsal fully functional and directed deployment of sufficient medical personnel at designated locations to provide immediate healthcare services. He also called for elaborate arrangements for visitors attending the Sound and Light Show at Leh Palace, including adequate seating facilities.
Further, he directed placement of flower pots at key locations such as roundabouts and central road dividers, including sourcing from DIHAR, and asked the Border Roads Organisation to expedite installation of interlocking tiles along the Choglamsar route leading to Jivetsal to improve accessibility.
Describing the exposition as a momentous occasion for Ladakh and the global Buddhist community, the Lieutenant Governor directed all departments to work in close coordination and mission mode to ensure that the event is conducted in a smooth, organised and dignified manner, reflecting Ladakh’s rich spiritual heritage and hospitality.
