‘Special arrangements put in place for Milad celebrations in view of COVID pandemic’ Pays obeisance at Dargah, prays for peace and prosperity of J&K
SRINAGAR: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan, today convened a meeting to review arrangements for the forthcoming Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) during which people from all parts of the Valley converge at the Dargah in large numbers.
The meeting was attended by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, DIG Police Central Kashmir, Administrator J&K Muslim Wakaf Board, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Director Health Services Kashmir, Chief Engineer PDD Kashmir, RTO Kashmir, SSP Traffic Srinagar, SP Hazratbal, Officers from Jal Shakti Department Kashmir, JKPCC, R&B, SICOP, Fire and Emergency Services and other concerned.
The management body of Dargah Shrine apprised the Advisor of various issues with regard to arrangements in view of the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW).
The meeting was informed that the holy relic (Moi-e-Muqaddas) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) would be displayed during all five prayers during Milad celebration days and this year no night long prayers would be held at the Shrine in view of COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, arrangements being made by several departments for the forthcoming Milad celebrations were reviewed in detail.
Advisor Khan was informed that additional men and machinery has been put into services in view of the Milad celebrations besides special cleanliness drives being conducted in and outside the premise of Dargah.
The Advisor directed the SMC Commissioner for fumigation and sanitization of the shrine premises after Namaz-e-Isha (Night prayers) and asked the Commissioner to ensure proper sanitation facilities at the historic Dargah besides Jenab Sahab Soura and Kailiashpora shrines.
RTO Kashmir informed that 200 mini buses besides a fleet of SRTC buses will ply on the route to Dargah on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH).
Advisor Khan directed RTO Kashmir to start special Dargah bus service on the revered days from district headquarters and other parts of the Valley to facilitate the devotees. He also directed the concerned to utilize the services of volunteers in order to facilitate people during the occasion. He asked the Traffic Police to prepare a traffic management plan and publish the same in leading Urdu dailies so that the information would reach people beforehand in order to ensure hassle-free movement of vehicles.
SSP Traffic informed the meeting that NIT Srinagar and University of Kashmir premises have been designated for parking places of vehicles coming from north and south Kashmir respectively.
On the occasion, Advisor Khan directed the PDD and the Jal Shakti (PHE) Department to ensure uninterrupted power and water supply to all the major congregation sites particularly Dargah Hazratbal during the entire period of Milad.
Chief Engineer PDD informed the Advisor that the department has stationed a dedicated team for 24X7 at the shrine to take care all complaints and issues with respect to the power supply.
Director Health Services Kashmir apprised the Advisor that in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the department has made special arrangements like availability of masks, hand sanitizers, thermal temperature scanner besides medicines and other medical facilities at all 8 entry points of the Dargah.
Advisor Khan directed Director DHSK to prepare Health Advisory so that it would be subsequently published in local dailies so that devotees would adhere to the SOPs during Milad celebrations. He also instructed the department to station a critical care ambulance at Hazratbal during the course of Milad celebrations.
Fire and Emergency Services informed that three additional fire tenders and three fire pumps have been stationed on the bank of Dal Lake to tackle any eventuality during the course of celebrations.
Advisor Khan said that extraordinary arrangements and measures are put in place in view of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kashmir valley so that devotees would face least difficulties. He directed Wakaf authorities and shrine management to arrange volunteers to facilitate people so that social distancing would be maintained during prayers.
Later, Advisor Khan paid obeisance at the shrine and prayed for peace, progress, prosperity and wellbeing of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He also interacted with the management body and took stock of all the facilities for the devotees who throng the Dargah from all parts of the Valley on the revered day.
The Advisor went around the holy place and inspected various facilities being put in place for the devotees including prayer areas for men and women, places of ablution and facilitation counters. He directed the Wakf Board and SMC Commissioner to create additional temporary washrooms for women devotees.
On the occasion, Advisor Khan was also briefed about the development works being undertaken at the revered shrine.