GUWAHATI, July 18 - The Kamrup Metro district administration has said that strict vigil will be maintained to ensure that no alcoholic and psychotropic substances are used by anyone during the �Bol Bom� Shravani Mela, which is scheduled to commence tomorrow. The Mela will conclude on August 17.
�The Superintendent of Excise of Kamrup Metro has been asked to ensure that no alcoholic and psychotropic substances, including ganja, are used in roadside dhabas or shops in the vicinity of both Basistha Temple and Sukreswar Temple. Orders have been issued to deploy adequate numbers of excise inspectors and staff in the areas for this purpose and banners have been put up stating prohibition in use of such substances,� said Kamrup Metro Deputy Commissioner Dr M Angamuthu.
Circle officers of the Guwahati and Dispur revenue circles will be in overall charge of their respective circles during the festival, said the DC.
He added that volunteers will be deployed by the Basistha Devalaya Authority and Sukreswar Devalaya Authority for maintenance of order on the temple premises during the days of celebration.
�The Joint Director of Health Services, Kamrup Metro, will provide two medical teams with ambulance, one each at Basistha Temple and at Sukreswar Temple, on all days of the Mela, along with doctors and sufficient numbers of paramedical staff and medicine. Besides, food inspectors will check the food items like prasad and bhog and certify the same to be fit for consumption. The temple committees have been directed to ensure that food distribution is done only in the specified areas and there should be no distribution of food on the footpaths surrounding the Sukreswar and Basistha temples and banners should be put up by the temple committees giving proper direction to the devotees in the matter,� said Dr Angamuthu.
Control rooms have been set up in the temple premises manned by personnel from the GMC, Health Department, APDCL, PHE and fire and emergency services.
�Spot inspection will be carried out by officials of police and district administration to ensure smooth and effective functioning of the Mela,� he said.
Temple committees have deployed civil defence personnel in coordination with city police and volunteers have also been deployed from the Bharat Scouts and Guides.
While the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has been tasked to provide drinking water, repair the streetlights at Basistha and Sukreswar temples and ensure clearing of dustbins at both places, the DCPs of East and Central police districts have been directed to deploy adequate numbers of security personnel at various strategic points. The DCP (Traffic) must ensure traffic regulation and make adequate arrangements for deployment of traffic personnel.
�The Director of Fire and Emergency Services will place fire tenders near the Basistha and Sukreswar temples to meet any eventuality and SDRF will be on standby on all the days,� said Dr Angamuthu.
The organising committees of both the temples were told earlier to arrange standby generators in their respective temples and to put up proper barricades on the riverbank well ahead of the arrival of Bol Bom devotees.
