Haridwar Kumbh-2021 : Covid-19 situation to have bearing on Shahi Snan numbers: Minister
Wednesday, 07 October 2020 | PNS | Dehradun
Rs 35 crore for waste disposal project in Haridwar and Rishikesh
The government spokesperson and senior cabinet minister Madan Kaushik has said that the SOPs issued by the government of India, guidelines of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and situation of Covid-19 pandemic would be considered while taking a decision on extent of public participation in Shahi Snans during Kumbh-2021. He however claimed that the Kumbh would be a mega spiritual event. Addressing media persons at the state secretariat here on Tuesday, the minister said that Saints of different Akharas would be consulted in the month of December and then a decision on the extent and shape of Kumbh would be taken. He claimed that all the works for Kumbh are going on as per the plan.
Earlier on the day the chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat held a review meeting on preparations of Kumbh in Haridwar. In the meeting he laid special emphasis on waste disposal in Haridwar and Rishikesh during Kumbh. A budget of Rs 35 Crore would be spent for the purpose. The CM also directed that a comprehensive plan for beautification of the entire Mela area should be prepared and implemented accordingly. On a terse note the CM said that all the works of permanent nature should be completed in the month of December and the process of tenders for temporary works should start. Rawat said that the chief secretary (CS) would monitor the progress of works weekly while the secretary concerned would hold reviews on the third day. He said that all the hotels, Ashrams and Dharamshalas should be provided with do’s and don’ts list for Covid-19 pandemic.
In the meeting the Mela officer, Deepak Rawat gave a detailed presentation on Kumbh works. He said that a 1000 bed Covid care centre would be set up in Haridwar and arrangement for deployment of 493 doctors is being made. Efforts for bike and boat ambulances are being made for the mega event. He said that the entire Mela area would be divided into 23 sectors.
The meeting was attended by Urban development minister Madan Kaushik, chief secretary Om Prakash, secretaries R K Sudhanshu, Nitesh Jha, Shailesh Bagoli, Saujanya, Pankaj Pandey, Garhwal commissioner Ravinath Raman, Inspector General (IG) Abhinav Kumar, Sanjay Gunjyal and others.
