BUDGAM: Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and MLA Charar-i-Sharief, Abdul Rahim Rather, on Saturday reviewed preparations for the annual Urs of Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Aalam Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA), scheduled to commence on October 7, and directed departments to ensure coordinated arrangements for devotees.
Chairing a meeting of officials and stakeholders, Rather assessed preparations related to water supply, power, healthcare, sanitation, transport, security and other civic facilities required during the annual observance at Charar-i-Sharief.
He directed the concerned departments to ensure adequate and uninterrupted drinking water supply in and around the shrine and the town, including round-the-clock availability of water in washrooms and deployment of water tankers wherever necessary.
The Speaker also asked authorities to maintain uninterrupted electricity supply and proper illumination of the shrine and adjoining areas throughout the Urs period.
Reviewing healthcare arrangements, Rather directed officials to deploy adequate medical teams, ambulances and stocks of essential medicines to deal with any emergencies. He also called for arrangements to ensure adequate ration supplies for local residents in view of the expected influx of devotees.
On sanitation, he instructed departments to deploy sufficient sanitation workers, install toilets and dustbins at strategic locations and ensure regular collection and disposal of waste. He also called for inspections of food establishments to monitor hygiene standards and directed strict enforcement of regulations relating to prices, weights and measures.
The meeting also reviewed traffic and transport arrangements. Rather stressed the need for adequate public transport, designated parking facilities and a coordinated traffic management plan, including diversions and regulation of vehicular movement to prevent congestion.
On security, he directed deployment of adequate personnel for crowd management and law and order duties, besides positioning fire-fighting and emergency response vehicles at strategic locations.
Emphasising inter-departmental coordination, the Speaker directed officials to monitor preparations regularly and address any shortcomings before the commencement of the Urs.
He also ordered the establishment of a 24×7 control room during the Urs period, with designated officers from all concerned departments deployed on a rotational basis to facilitate prompt grievance redressal and coordination.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Chadoora, Chief Medical Officer Budgam, executive engineers of the Public Health Engineering and Roads and Buildings departments, Assistant Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Tehsildar Charar-i-Sharief, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Charar-i-Sharief, Assistant Regional Transport Officer Budgam, Block Medical Officer Charar-i-Sharief, Block Development Officer Charar-i-Sharief and representatives of civil society.
