SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Friday extended greetings to the people on the occasion of the Urs of Hazrat Sultan Ali Aali Balkhi (RA), scheduled to begin on August 15, and called for comprehensive arrangements to facilitate devotees visiting the shrine at Pakherpora.
In a message, Rather said the annual Urs holds immense religious and spiritual significance for devotees from across Jammu and Kashmir and beyond. He noted that a large number of pilgrims are expected to visit the shrine during the 20-day observance.
He said major congregations are expected on the 11th and 13th days of the Islamic calendar, with Poshak Bandi scheduled for August 25 and Shab Khawani on August 27.
Highlighting the anticipated rush of devotees, the Speaker urged the district administration to ensure advance planning and coordinated arrangements, including adequate drinking water, uninterrupted power supply, sanitation, healthcare, transport, traffic management and other civic amenities.
Rather stressed the need for sufficient drinking water points, backup arrangements and uninterrupted electricity supply at the shrine and surrounding areas. He also called for proper sanitation facilities, deployment of adequate sanitation staff and regular waste disposal to maintain cleanliness during the Urs.
He directed the Health Department to ensure the availability of medical teams, ambulances, first-aid facilities and essential medicines, particularly during major gatherings, and asked authorities to keep emergency response systems fully operational.
The Speaker also called for a comprehensive traffic and transport management plan, including adequate parking facilities, smooth traffic flow and sufficient passenger transport services connecting Pakherpora with Srinagar, Budgam, Chadoora, Pulwama, Shopian and Anantnag.
He urged concerned departments to undertake cleanliness drives ahead of the Urs and maintain sanitation throughout the event. He also sought proper street lighting in Pakherpora and adequate illumination of the shrine complex.
Rather stressed the need to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential commodities, including rice, flour, sugar, cooking gas and kerosene oil, and sought additional ration allocation to meet increased demand during the Urs period.
He also called for intensified market inspections to prevent profiteering, hoarding and overcharging.
Emphasising inter-departmental coordination, Rather said all arrangements should be put in place well before the major gatherings and contingency plans kept ready for any unforeseen situation.
He appealed to devotees to maintain peace, cleanliness and discipline and cooperate with the administration for the smooth conduct of the Urs.
The Speaker expressed hope that the occasion would strengthen communal harmony, brotherhood and spiritual devotion among the people.
