Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat today chaired a meeting here at DC Office to review the arrangements for Mahashivratri festival scheduled to be celebrated on February 26.

Among others the meeting was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner,  Additional Deputy Commissioner, Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir, SP Security, SDM East, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Officers of Food Safety Organization, PHE R&B & SMC, FCS&CA and all Tehsildars of the District.

At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner was apprised by the officers of concerned line departments regarding the arrangements being made to ensure smooth celebrations of the festival in the district.

The DC passed directions to all departments for ensuring adequate availability of traditional festive essentials and uninterrupted power and water supplies.

On the occasion, the DC instructed the Fisheries Department to establish sale outlets for trout fish at various prominent locations in the district ahead of the festival.

Similarly, the DC asked the concerned to ensure supply of vegetables, flowers, walnuts, Lotus stem, earthen pots, etc in the market.

FCS&CA was asked to provide advance ration to the Pandit families on the occasion.

The Health Department was told to ensure availability of medical facilities and deployment of ambulances at important locations.

The Power Department informed the meeting that it has devised a curtailment-free schedule for identified areas where pandit community reside in the district.

DC also stressed on maintaining proper sanitation at prominent temples in the city including Durganag, Sharika Devi, Zeathyar, Ganpatyar, Wazir temples and at the entire pilgrimage route to Shankar Acharya temple.

Ha further asked the officers to visit prominent temples within their jurisdiction to assess the arrangements for smooth celebrations of the festival.

DC directed for ensuring the best possible facilities at the Shankaracharya temple in particular where major congregations of devotees for special payers are held during the festival.

He directed concerned departments to ensure all basic arrangements are put in place for the devotees expected to perform Darshan in the Shankaracharya Temple during the festival.

Besides, he instructed for ensuring hassle-free traffic movement for the devotees and making adequate facilities at the designated place for parking of the vehicles.

Bhat also instructed for ensuring uninterrupted supply of electricity and drinking water at the venue so that devotees do not face any problem during their visit to pay obeisance at the Temple.

The Health Department was directed to deploy a medical team at the venue with the availability of all emergency medicines and first aid facilities to handle any medical emergency.

During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner interacted with the members of the pandit community representing different trusts and temples in the city.

DC assured them of all possible support from the district administration for smooth celebration of Mahashivratri festival in the district.