Devotees in Kashi should not face any problems during the Shravan month: District Magistrate

Varanasi District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar held a review meeting with officials at the Markandeya Mahadev Temple complex and the Public Works Department (PWD) guest house in Kaithi on Saturday to ensure safe and secure darshan, puja, and Jalabhishek arrangements for devotees visiting during the Shravan month.

He then inspected the temple complex and ghat and issued necessary instructions to the concerned officials.

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The meeting discussed the overall arrangements and a detailed action plan to ensure the smooth movement of devotees. Special emphasis was placed on strengthening crowd management, security arrangements, and the cleanliness of the temple complex and ghat. The District Magistrate inquired with the Mahant of the temple about the preparations and the remaining work, and directed the concerned departments to ensure that all arrangements are completed in a timely manner.

He inspected the temple complex, fair area, and ghat to review the arrangements and also received information from the chief priest regarding the necessary arrangements. During this visit, he inspected the entry and exit gates and other locations and gave necessary instructions to the officials.

The District Magistrate directed the District Panchayat Raj Officer (DPRO) to deploy adequate sanitation workers and supervisors to ensure comprehensive cleanliness around the Markandeya Mahadev Temple. He directed the Panchayat Secretary to deploy two sanitation workers in shifts and the Temple Committee to deploy four sanitation workers. He also directed the deployment of female police personnel and Temple Management Committee volunteers outside the temple premises and main gate.

He directed the Public Works Department to install zigzag barricades outside the temple to facilitate the smooth movement of devotees and repair under-construction and damaged roads. He also directed the concerned departments to ensure the provision of deep-water barricades, changing rooms, mobile toilets, drinking water tankers, and a public address system at the ghat.

The District Magistrate directed that adequate lighting be maintained at the ghat and faulty streetlights be repaired immediately. He also directed the authorities to make proper arrangements for a holding area and parking for crowd control, establish a water police post at the ghat, and deploy divers.

He directed the establishment of a control room and the deployment of necessary personnel. He also stated that no boatman should offer boat rides to pilgrims without life jackets. To this end, the concerned officials were instructed to hold meetings with the boatmen and provide necessary guidelines.

Necessary instructions were given to the Electrical Safety Department to ensure electrical safety. The District Magistrate stated that all CCTV cameras installed in the temple complex and ghats should be functional, faulty lights on the approach roads should be repaired immediately, and an uninterrupted power supply should be ensured. He also directed the Panchayat Secretary to have the toilets and fans at the night shelter located in the temple area repaired.

The District Magistrate directed the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to ensure the availability of anti-snake venom along with the deployment of a medical team. He directed the Food Safety Department to conduct regular inspections of cart and stall operators and to ensure the availability of cloakrooms and locker rooms for the safety of pilgrims’ shoes and slippers.

After the meeting, the District Magistrate and other officials visited the Markandeya Mahadev temple and received blessings by performing puja.