Div Com reviews arrangements for forthcoming religious festivals

Srinagar, Mar 18: To ensure smooth and peaceful celebrations of the forthcoming religious festivals of Eid-ul-Fitr, Navroz and Navratra, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, Wednesday chaired a meeting of officers to review the preparedness and arrangements being put in place across the Kashmir Division.
The meeting was attended by all Deputy Commissioners, Commissioner SMC, SSP Srinagar, Chief Engineer PWD, ARTO Kashmir, Director Sheep Husbandry Kashmir, SSP Traffic Rural Kashmir, Joint Director Information Kashmir, Joint Director FCS&CA and other senior officers of concerned departments.
At the outset, the Deputy Commissioners briefed the Divisional Commissioner about the arrangements being put in place in their respective districts for the smooth celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, Navroz and Navratra. They also apprised him regarding the availability and stock position of essential commodities, including LPG, petrol and diesel.
While addressing the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner directed all Deputy Commissioners to ensure meticulous arrangements with regard to the availability of basic facilities, deployment of Magistrates, and effective security and traffic management, particularly at major congregational places where Eid prayers are scheduled to be held.
He directed KPDCL to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply across the Kashmir Division on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, especially at Aasar-i-Sharief Hazratbal and other prominent religious places.
The Jal Shakti Department was instructed to ensure adequate and uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water during the festive days.
With regard to essential commodities, the Divisional Commissioner emphasized maintaining adequate stocks and ensuring the availability of all essential items, including LPG, petrol and diesel, across the division so that the public does not face any inconvenience during the celebrations.
The FCS&CA Department was directed to ensure sufficient domestic LPG stock in all districts and to prevent any shortages.
He further instructed concerned authorities to conduct comprehensive market inspections to curb hoarding, overpricing and the sale of substandard goods. Stressing close coordination among enforcement agencies, he directed that fair pricing and adequate availability of essential commodities, particularly mutton and poultry, be ensured on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Reviewing traffic management measures, the Divisional Commissioner directed traffic authorities to regulate vehicular movement near major mosques and marketplaces. He also emphasized the arrangement of adequate public transport facilities on key routes leading to Hazratbal to facilitate smooth movement of devotees, especially for Eid prayers.
To ensure safety at congregation venues, he directed the deployment of fire tenders and adequate security personnel to ensure the smooth and peaceful celebration of all the festivals across the Kashmir Division.
The Divisional Commissioner reiterated the need for seamless coordination among all departments to ensure that the upcoming religious festivals are celebrated in a peaceful and orderly manner.