Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 24 The Keralam government has stepped up preparations for the smooth conduct of the annual Navaratri procession from Tamil Nadu to Thiruvananthapuram, with special focus on security, traffic and facilities for devotees.
A meeting of district-level officials, chaired by District Collector Anu Kumari at the Collectorate here, reviewed the arrangements and the measures to be taken along the Keralam-Tamil Nadu border and the procession route, an official statement said on Thursday.
The annual Navaratri celebrations in Keralam will begin with the traditional procession of idols from Tamil Nadu to Thiruvananthapuram on October 9.
The procession will start from the Padmanabhapuram Palace in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, carrying the idol of Goddess Saraswati, the idol of the Goddess from Suchindram and the idol of Kumaraswami from Kumarakovil, besides the silver horse and the sword of the Travancore Maharaja kept at the palace, officials said.
The police were directed to make special security and traffic arrangements in border areas and along the procession route, they said.
Steps will also be taken in coordination with Tamil Nadu Police to avoid unnecessary inconvenience to travellers at the border.
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) was tasked with raising low-hanging cables and power lines and completing repairs of streetlights in time. The Public Works Department (PWD) was directed to expedite road repair works, while arrangements would be made to trim dangerous tree branches and clear overgrowth along the route.
The Travancore Devaswom Board and Forest Department will expedite procedures for obtaining interstate travel NOCs for elephants brought for the procession.
The Collector also directed Revenue Department officials to make arrangements for food and drinking water for those participating in the procession.
Teams from the Fire and Rescue Services and Health Department will accompany the procession to deal with emergencies. The Food Safety Department will intensify inspections to ensure the quality of food items.
The meeting also decided to ensure strict compliance with the plastic ban and streamline waste management in coordination with the Suchitwa Mission, municipal bodies and panchayats.
Officials of the Devaswom Board, representatives of temple managements and various organisations attended the meeting, the statement added.
(PTI News)
