Charar-i-Sharief, Oct 3: Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and MLA Charar-i-Sharief Abdul Rahim Rather today chaired a meeting to review arrangements for the annual Urs of revered 14th-century patron saint of Kashmir, Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Aalam Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA), scheduled to commence from October 7.
The Speaker reviewed preparations by various departments, with emphasis on ensuring adequate civic amenities, safety and convenience for devotees expected to visit the shrine and town during the Urs.
Reviewing drinking water arrangements, Rather directed the concerned departments to ensure uninterrupted water supply in and around the shrine and Charar-i-Sharief. He called for round-the-clock availability of water in washrooms for male and female devotees and deployment of water tankers as an emergency measure wherever required.
He also directed the authorities to ensure uninterrupted power supply and adequate illumination of the shrine and adjoining areas throughout the Urs period.
On healthcare arrangements, the Speaker called for deployment of sufficient medical teams, ambulances and essential medicines to deal with emergencies. He also directed the concerned authorities to ensure adequate ration supplies for local residents in view of the anticipated increase in visitors.
Emphasising cleanliness and sanitation, Rather directed the deployment of adequate sanitation staff, installation of toilets and dustbins at strategic locations, and regular lifting and scientific disposal of waste.
He further called for regular inspections of shops and food establishments to ensure compliance with food hygiene and sanitation standards. Strict monitoring of prices, weights and measures was also directed to protect the interests of devotees and the general public.
Reviewing transport and traffic arrangements, the Speaker stressed adequate public transport, designated parking areas and a coordinated traffic management plan, including necessary diversions and regulation of vehicular movement.
On security, he called for adequate deployment of personnel for crowd management and maintenance of law and order, besides strict vigil around the shrine and other sensitive locations. He also directed positioning of fire-fighting and emergency response vehicles at strategic points.
Rather stressed close coordination among all departments and called for regular monitoring to identify and resolve gaps well before the commencement of the Urs.
He also directed the establishment of a 24x7 control room during the Urs, with designated officers from concerned departments deployed on a rotational basis to ensure prompt grievance redressal, assistance and inter-departmental coordination.
The Speaker reiterated that all arrangements must be completed well in advance to ensure a peaceful, safe and hassle-free Urs for devotees and residents.
ADC Budgam, SDM Chadoora, CMO Budgam, executive engineers of PHE and R&B, AD FCS&CA, Tehsildar Charar-i-Sharief, SDPO Charar-i-Sharief, ARTO Budgam, BMO Charar-i-Sharief, BDO Charar-i-Sharief and representatives of civil society attended the meeting.
