New Delhi, Oct 5 The Delhi government has directed officials to step up security and civic arrangements at Durga Puja pandals, including CCTV cameras and scanners, while urging additional cultural programmes and improved facilities at Chhath Puja venues this year.
With the festive season approaching, Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra asked district magistrates to regularly monitor arrangements at Durga Puja pandals and cultural venues, while departments have been directed to ensure drinking water, medical teams, sanitation, electricity, traffic management and crowd control.
Mishra, chairman of the special committee for Durga Puja celebrations, chaired a review meeting Monday, directing officials to ensure adequate CCTV cameras and scanners at pandals and maintain continuous vigilance in coordination with police and the administration.
The minister directed all necessary no-objection certificates and permissions for Durga Puja celebrations be processed through the single-window system within the stipulated timeline, according to an official statement.
The irrigation and flood control department will also make arrangements for immersion pits and water supply at idol immersion sites for dignified conduct of ritual proceedings.
Artificial or temporary ponds and tanks will be arranged for idol immersion, along with special arrangements for cleaning and removing remains, the statement said.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) have been asked to ensure sanitation at event venues, while organising committees will also be encouraged to promote messages on cleanliness, water conservation, environment, indigenous products and ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’, it mentioned.
At a separate meeting chaired by Mishra to review preparations for Chhath Puja, officials discussed arrangements for drinking water, medical assistance, ambulances, fire services, mobile toilets, security, traffic management, cleanliness, fogging and electricity at ghats and related venues.
The single-clearance window registration process for Chhath Puja will begin October 15 to facilitate timely processing of permissions involving different departments, he said.
Additional cultural programmes will be organised during Chhath Puja this year, Mishra said, adding that efforts are being made to make the celebrations better than last year.
Free electricity will be arranged at ghats and other Chhath venues to ensure uninterrupted power supply during celebrations, he said.
Mishra also directed officials to ensure that no anti-social activity is tolerated during Chhath Puja and strict action is taken against those involved in such activities.
The Durga Puja review meeting was attended by MLAs Shikha Roy and Neeraj Basoya, district magistrates, senior police officers and officials from the MCD, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and the revenue, irrigation, and art and culture departments.
The Chhath meeting was attended by public representatives and officials from the art and culture, revenue, irrigation and fire departments, DJB, BSES, DDA, MCD, PWD, besides police and traffic officers, and district magistrates.
(PTI News)
