Chief Secretary Reviews Preparations for Kainchi Dham Foundation Day Fair, Emphasizes Traffic and Crowd Management
Dehradun:
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting at the Secretariat to review preparations for the annual fair to be held on June 15 at Shri Kainchi Dham in Nainital on the occasion of its Foundation Day. During the meeting, officials from the police, district administration, Public Works Department (PWD), and other concerned departments were directed to ensure comprehensive arrangements for the smooth and safe conduct of the event.
The Chief Secretary stated that a large number of devotees from across India and abroad are expected to visit Kainchi Dham for the Foundation Day celebrations. Keeping this in view, he instructed all departments to work in close coordination and ensure that no inconvenience is caused to pilgrims during their visit.
Special Focus on Traffic Management and Route Planning
Anand Bardhan directed the Public Works Department and the police to prepare a detailed traffic management and route plan for the next ten days, taking into account the expected peak movement of devotees. He emphasized the need to formulate zonal and sectoral plans for the fair area to facilitate effective crowd and traffic control.
The Chief Secretary also instructed authorities to widely publicize parking arrangements, traffic diversions, and alternative routes at local, state, and national levels. This, he said, would help devotees plan their journeys efficiently and reduce traffic congestion in and around the temple area.
Strengthening Parking and Shuttle Services
To ensure hassle-free movement of visitors, the Chief Secretary directed officials to establish a well-organized parking management system. He stressed that entry and exit routes to the multi-level parking facility should be properly regulated to prevent traffic bottlenecks and congestion.
He further instructed authorities to arrange shuttle services between parking areas and the temple premises to facilitate the movement of pilgrims. Police and PWD officials were also asked to prepare alternative routes, implement traffic diversions where necessary, and complete road improvement and blacktopping works on priority.
Basic Amenities to Be Made Available
The Chief Secretary directed concerned departments to complete all beautification and illumination works in the fair area at the earliest. He also instructed officials to ensure adequate availability of essential facilities, including drinking water, public toilets, sanitation services, and other basic amenities, both in the fair zone and parking areas.
He emphasized that all facilities should be continuously monitored and upgraded if required to ensure a comfortable experience for visitors.
Emergency Preparedness and Healthcare Arrangements
Highlighting the importance of safety, Anand Bardhan instructed officials to prepare a comprehensive emergency evacuation plan for handling unforeseen situations. He directed that police personnel, temple security staff, and other stakeholders be thoroughly briefed about the evacuation procedures to ensure swift and effective implementation if required.
The Chief Secretary also stressed the need for robust healthcare arrangements, including the deployment of medical teams, establishment of first-aid facilities, and availability of ambulances throughout the event. He instructed authorities to maintain continuous coordination with all stakeholders to ensure effective crowd management and public safety.
Senior Officials Participate in Review Meeting
The meeting was attended by Secretary Dhiraj Singh Garbyal, while Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat, IG Kumaon Nivedita Kukreti, Nainital District Magistrate Lalit Mohan Rayal, Senior Superintendent of Police Manjunath TC, and other senior officials joined through video conferencing and briefed the Chief Secretary on the progress of preparations.
