GUWAHATI, June 18 � For the first time, a model disaster management mechanism will be put in place to meet any eventualities during the three-day Maha Ambubachi Mela in Kamakhya temple on the Nilachal Hill in the city.
The Ambubachi Mela starts on June 23.
Briefing media persons on the preparations including security measures for the occasion, Kamrup (Metro) Deputy Commissioner Dr J Balaji said that the administration had prepared a model disaster management plan, the details of which would be ready in a day or two.
�This is for the first time that a disaster management plan is being drawn for the Ambubachi Mela. We are expecting 10-12 lakh people during the three days of festivities, and are ready to tackle eventualities such as stampede, outbreak of major fire or mass food-poisoning. For this, we are taking some additional steps this time apart from the routine measures,� he said, adding that the administration was coordinating with other departments and agencies including the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and police for safe and smooth holding of the festival.
A temporary hospital with beds and manned by doctors and staff from the GMCH and MMCH will be at the site. There will also be 24-hour ambulance service to deal with emergency situations.
Dr Balaji said that food inspectors were being engaged to check the quality of food meant for mass consumption during the Mela. Besides, all the providers of such food will have to get themselves registered with the Kamakhya Debutter Board.
�Health and hygiene will be a major area of our attention. The GMC will provide the required infrastructure and facilities while we will provide security and logistics,� Dr Balaji said.
GMC Commissioner Anurag Goel said that 220 temporary latrines were being installed at the site to prevent defecation in the open. "There will also be 24-hour drinking water supply provided through 200 taps besides clearance of garbage at regular intervals for which mini rocket machines and adequate number of dustbins have been put up," he said, adding that the entire stretch of the road leading to the temple would have enough streetlights.
�The Mela is entirely our responsibility, and we will see to it that it passes off in a hygienic ambience,� he said.
City Senior Superintendent of Police (SP) Deepak Choudhury said that there would be round-the-clock vigilance and monitoring in and around the temple involving four companies of armed forces.
�We have divided the entire area into 11 sectors for foolproof security and our officers and personnel will be there to man the area in eight-hour shifts with at least ten persons in each shift. There will also be volunteers from the Debutter Board as well as civil defence personnel,� he said.
Choudhury said that a 24-hour helpline telephone number would be there besides the regular 'dial-100' police control number where any person could inform the police about any problem.
There will also be close-circuit cameras for thorough monitoring of the situation during the festive days.
There will be some traffic restrictions for the occasion which would be made public in a couple of days, Choudhury said.
