GUWAHATI, Nov 13 - To ensure safety of devotees on the days of the upcoming Chhath Puja, the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup (Metro) has directed the Inland Water Transport (IWT) Department, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to earmark the vulnerable and accident-prone zones on the stretch of the Brahmaputra here designated for puja activities.
This time the district administration has also made it mandatory for the puja committees to follow all COVID-19 norms and to take prior permission from the office of the deputy commissioner of police concerned to organise the festival. Again, deployment of volunteers in adequate numbers and installation of sufficient numbers of close circuit cameras have been made mandatory for every Chhath Puja organising committee.
The DC has also asked the IWT Department to make proper surveillance to impose a total restriction on plying of private boats in the Brahmaputra during the puja days. The department has also been instructed to make all arrangements to carry out immediate rescue drive in case of any accident.
Moreover, the Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd has been instructed to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the puja hours. Similarly, the Fire and Emergency Services section has been asked to be alert to address any kind of disaster. The health department too has been asked to position a team of doctors and nurses near every puja pandal.
During a recent meeting with all Chhath Puja committees of the city, the DC also called for avoiding use of decorative lights, plastic and thermocol, besides erection of gates near the puja premises.
The district administration has also imposed restrictions on setting up of temporary shops near the puja pandals. Moreover, volunteers of civil defence will extend necessary help to every puja committee.
