GUWAHATI, May 31 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today paid a visit to the Kamakhya Temple and took stock of the preparedness undertaken by different departments for the ensuing Ambubachi Mela which witnesses one of the biggest religio-spiritual congregations of the country.
The Chief Minister held a review meeting in the Kamakhya shrine campus and reviewed the ongoing activities undertaken to welcome lakhs of devotees during Ambubachi Mela, an official release said.
Sonowal also inaugurated the second 2x40 MVA, 132/33 kV Gas Insulated Substation of Assam Electricity Grid Corporation Ltd (AEGCL) at Kamakhya.
Highlighting the importance of the Kamakhya Peeth in the cultural-spiritual tourism circuit in the country, Sonowal requested all the core departments to work wholeheartedly to showcase the unique traits of Assam�s socio-cultural and spiritual tourism during the ensuing Ambubachi Mela.
�Assam is known for its hospitality and age-old tradition of according highest respect to pilgrims and visitors and this year�s Ambubachi Mela will be no exception,� the Chief Minister said.
Sonowal asked the departments to leave no stone unturned for meeting all essential needs and required facilities for the convenience of the pilgrims. He asked the PHE department to ensure sufficient purified drinking water for the devotees who would be put up at five makeshift camps in the city. He also asked the Guwahati Municipal Corporation to supply uninterrupted drinking water at the Kamakhya Temple during the days of Ambubachi.
Considering the huge footfall of devotees including the specially-abled ones, Sonowal asked the Assam State Transport Corporation to arrange a large fleet of buses for two-way ferrying of the pilgrims. He also asked the health and family welfare department to ensure round-the-clock treatment facilities in the Kamakhya Temple campus, including setting up of temporary special cells for treatment of babies.
Moreover, for uninterrupted power supply, he asked the power department to ensure power supply and asked the PWD to arrange generators as a backup plan.
Considering the tourism potential of Ambubachi Mela, Sonowal asked the tourism department to organise campaigns in different districts of Assam and outside so that tourists from the country and abroad can come to Kamakhya to experience its revered beauty. He asked the police department to ensure foolproof security and maintain constant vigil on the Neelachal Hill and its adjoining areas.
Moreover, as a sense of gratitude to the service of innumerable volunteers and other social organisations, Sonowal mooted the idea of acknowledging their services with awards and commendations.
Tourism Minister Chandan Brahma, Minister of State for Power Topon Gogoi, Chairman ATDC Jayanta Malla Baruah, senior officers of State administration, Railways, and priests of Kamakhya Temple were present at the meeting.
