DC Srinagar reviews preparations for R-Day celebrations

Srinagar, Jan 15: In connection with celebration of forthcoming 73rd Republic Day-2022, the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Saturday took stock of preparatory activities at Sher i Kashmir Cricket Stadium Sonwar.
Besides, Senior Superintendent of Police, Rakesh Balwal, the meeting was attendant by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Khurshid Ahmad Shah, SDM, West, SDM East, ACR, Senior Officers of R&B, PHE, PDD Health, Education, Information, Cultural Academy, Hospitality & Protocol, SMC, Fire & Emergency, Mechanical Engineering, SRTC and other line Departments, besides senior Officers of Police, ITBPT, CRPF also participated in the meeting.
Detailed discussion at the venue was held regarding security arrangements, parade/band contingents of Army, CRPF, Police, School children, Cultural items, Seating arrangements, Transport/Parking arrangements, Sanitation, Drinking water, Electricity, Medical aid and other emergency facilities.
It was informed that the main Republic Day function will be organized at the Cricket Stadium, Sonwar, Srinagar.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned to ensure arrangements regarding various facilities including transport, parking, seating, availability of drinking water, uninterrupted electricity supply, deployment of health, fire and emergency staff and equipment, cultural programmes and illumination of important government buildings.
The Deputy Commissioner stressed on strict compliance to the COVID SOPs and CAB by the participating contingents and audience.
The Health Department was asked to put in a mechanism for testing the participants one day prior to the full dress rehearsal to be held on January 24 and day before the main function to be celebrated on January 26. The Department was directed to deploy 2 Ambulances in and outside the venue, besides to make arrangements of first aid, sanitizers and masks at the venue along with thermal screening of the audience on the day of the function.
The School Education Department was asked to organize online painting and essay competitions for students on the day as students can’t participate in parade and cultural events due to the present situation of Covid-19.
Similarly, the Cultural Academy was asked to prepare 10 cultural items in coordination with Information, School Education and YSS departments which shall be presented during the main function of the event.
The Power Development department was asked to ensure uninterrupted power supply at the venue during rehearsal and on the main function day with adequate power backup including DG sets. The PHE Department was instructed to place 2 water Tankers at the venue from January 24.
Keeping weather conditions into consideration, the Deputy Commissioner directed the Departments to keep their men and machinery ready and keep necessary snow-related equipment stationed at the stadium by January 22 for prompt response in case there is any snowfall in the Valley. He also asked for taking proper sanitation measures to ensure proper cleanliness in and around the venue, besides arrangements to tackle water logging at the Stadium.
The Fire & Emergency authorities were asked to deploy 2 fire tenders at the venue. It was also given out to install 12 numbers of Kerosen heaters for the purpose of heating arrangements at the venue.
The DC also stressed on making fool-proof security arrangements in and around the stadium to ensure hassle-free celebrations of Republic Day function.
The meeting was informed that contingents J&K Police, Armed Forces, CRPF, Home Guard, Fire & Emergency Services and Forest Protection Force shall participate in the march past and make band arrangements as per the past practices.
The DC also took stock of arrangements related to traffic, parking, security passes, installation of Public Address System, commentators, illumination at the venue.
Earlier, the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar gave a detailed overview about the arrangements being made and events to be held on the Divisional level Republic day celebrations.