Srirangam gets ready for Cauvery Maha Pushkaram

With the Cauvery Maha Pushkaram festival set to be celebrated here from September 12 to 24, the district administration is gearing up to provide necessary facilities for devotees visiting the city to participate in the event.

Collector K. Rajamani, who convened a meeting with officials to discuss the arrangements to be made for the festival here on Friday, gave elaborate instructions to various government departments and agencies on the amenities to be provided for devotees.

He directed the Corporation to ensure round-the-clock supply of potable water and cleaning of garbage in the Amma Mandapam area in Srirangam.

Separate showers for men and women should be set up on the river bed. Besides, adequate number of toilets should be provided along with rooms for women to change their dress. Sign posts should be installed at various places to guide devotees.

Barricades should be erected at the Amma Mandapam bathing ghat to regulate devotees and adequate flow of water should be ensured in the river.

Instructing the police to strengthen vigil to prevent crime, Mr. Rajamani directed the traffic police to make necessary arrangements for smooth flow of traffic and parking of vehicles.

A team of policemen should maintain vigil to prevent devotees moving to the deeper part of the river. Periodic announcements should be made through public address system.

Wherever necessary, surveillance cameras should be installed. Fire service personnel should make a reconnaissance visit to identify vulnerable places like quick sand and swirls in the river, he noted.

The Collector requested the Railways to operate special trains and provide a stoppage to all trains at Srirangam during the festival period.

A temporary reservation counter should be opened at the Srirangam temple. The TANGEDCO was instructed to provide uninterrupted power supply during the festival period and the State Transport Corporation has been asked to operate special buses.

Apart from organising medical camps, the Health Department should ensure that doctors were available round-the-clock at the Srirangam Government Hospital, Mr. Rajamani added.

Sakthi Ganesan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), and other officials participated in the meeting.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/srirangam-gets-ready-for-cauvery-maha-pushkaram/article19613839.ece