Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Sulochana Das Thursday urged puja committees around the City to ensure plastic-free and environmentally responsible celebrations during a preparatory meet for the upcoming Ganesh Puja scheduled to be celebrated Monday.
The meeting, held at Ekamra Hall at the BMC headquarters, was chaired by Das and was attended by Deputy Mayor Manjulata Kahur, Commissioner Chanchal Rana, Additional Commissioner Kailash Chandra Das, standing committee chairpersons, corporators and senior officials of the Commissionerate Police, Traffic Police, Fire Services, TPCODL, WATCO, Works department, Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited and representatives from various BMC zones. The civic body reviewed arrangements to ensure that the festival and subsequent idol immersion processions are conducted peacefully, safely and in an organised manner.
As many as 401 Ganesh Puja mandaps have so far obtained permission from the Commissionerate Police, with the number expected to cross 420.
The Traffic Police has been asked to take necessary measures for traffic regulation and crowd management around crowded puja mandaps. Local police and BMC zonal officials have also been directed to remain in regular coordination throughout the festival. Similarly, TPCODL has been asked to inspect electric poles, replace dangerous poles and repair faulty lighting systems before the puja. Loose electrical wires are also to be secured by special teams. The BMC electricity wing has been directed to repair street lights and other lighting infrastructure wherever required. The civic body has also asked agencies to avoid taking up fresh road digging and paver-block excavation during the festival period. Roads already dug up for utility works are to be restored immediately.
WATCO has been directed to fill potholes, while BMC zonal commissioners will inspect roads in their respective areas and submit reports. The BMC will create four temporary immersion ponds for Ganesh idols—two on either side of the Kuakhai, one at Tankapani area and another along the Daya riverbank. BMC Commissioner has also directed the BMC Engineering Department to prepare an estimate for construction of permanent approach roads to the temporary immersion sites in the future.
A large crane has been sought from the Khordha district administration for the immersion process, while the RTO will also be kept informed. The Commissionerate Police has fixed September 16, 18 and 20 for Ganesh idol immersion processions and will issue per missions accordingly. BMC, police and Traffic Police officials have been asked to remain particularly vigilant on these days. Special camps involving local police, Fire Services, electricity officials and BMC engineers will be set up near the immersion sites. In view of continuing rainfall, the BMC Mayor and Commissioner directed all departments to remain prepared for possible weather-related challenges.
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