Srinagar, Aug 19: In view of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (S.A.W.) and the following Friday, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg convened a high-level meeting on Wednesday to assess and strengthen arrangements at major mosques and shrines across the Kashmir Division.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners, Commissioner SMC, SSPs, VC LCMA, senior officials from various departments, including KPDCL, PHE, FCS&CA, PWD, Food Safety, Legal Metrology, LCMA, Wakf Board, Health, Police and Traffic departments, along with religious representatives from prominent shrines.
The Divisional Commissioner conducted a detailed assessment of essential facilities at major religious sites, including Hazratbal Shrine, Jenab Sahib Soura, Assar-i-Sharief Kalashpora, Aham-i-Sharief Bandipora, Kabamarg Anantnag and Pethmakhama Budgam, besides other mosques and shrines expected to witness significant gatherings for night prayers.
He gave special emphasis on arrangements at Hazratbal Shrine, where more than one lakh devotees are anticipated to participate in congregational and night prayers. Garg instructed the concerned departments to ensure that all arrangements remain fully functional throughout the occasion.
The Chief Engineer, KPDCL was directed to maintain an uninterrupted power supply at Hazratbal, along with a reliable backup arrangement through DG sets. The PHE department was asked to establish sufficient drinking-water points and keep water tankers available as an emergency measure.
To ensure convenient movement of devotees, SSCL, SRTC and ARTO were instructed to deploy adequate buses and e-autos, including services extending into the late hours. Traffic Police Srinagar was asked to prepare a comprehensive route plan for visitors arriving from different districts to prevent congestion and facilitate smooth traffic flow.
Emphasising the need for adequate shelter and crowd-management facilities, the Divisional Commissioner directed Wakf authorities to make advance arrangements for tents at designated religious locations.
The Commissioner of SMC was instructed to undertake an extensive sanitation and cleanliness campaign at Hazratbal Shrine and its surrounding areas.
To safeguard public health, joint market-inspection teams were ordered to monitor food quality, hygiene standards and pricing around markets and religious sites. Garg stressed strict action against traders found violating prescribed quality standards or resorting to overcharging.
The Health Department was directed to establish medical camps and deploy personnel according to duty rosters, while Fire & Emergency Services were instructed to position fire tenders at vulnerable and strategically important locations to ensure a rapid response in case of any emergency.
Religious leaders attending the meeting expressed satisfaction with the arrangements being undertaken for the occasion.
DCs were instructed to ensure availability of essential commodities and services during the religious occasion.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioners briefed the Divisional Commissioner on the preparations and facilities being put in place in their respective districts