Monday, 15 JULY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Municipal Corporation of Rishikesh (MCR) has begun preparations for the upcoming Kanwad Yatra as it expects a large number of pilgrims to arrive in the State by next week. The State authorities expect more than five crore Kanwadias to visit Uttarakhand during this pilgrimage. Since open defecation has been a major sanitation issue during the pilgrimage, the corporation plans to increase the number of mobile toilets compared to last year. The assistant municipal commissioner Ramesh Singh Rawat stated that last year, MCR had stationed seven mobile toilets with 10 seats each but this time, they will be setting up 10 toilets with 10 seats each at specific locations where the pilgrims are likely to gather during Kanwad Yatra. If needed, the corporation will station more mobile toilets in certain locations. The corporation will act strictly against open defecation. Rawat also said that they have asked the departments concerned like Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) and Jal Sansthan to provide power and water supply to support the operation of mobile toilets. The departments have assured that everything will be ready before the start of the Yatra, he said. Besides this, the corporation will also deploy more sanitation workers to maintain cleanliness near ghats and temples. Sanitation teams will work in shifts to monitor cleanliness and conduct regular cleaning throughout the Yatra. The corporation will also continue drain cleaning to prevent blockages and waterlogging during heavy rainfall, he said. He also stated that parking has been an issue during Kanwad Yatra in the past, but this time, the corporation has arranged ample parking space for over 1,000 vehicles at once. “Various spaces, including government and private properties, have been identified for parking, and additional spaces will be used if needed,” Rawat said. He also said that the corporation has made all necessary arrangements for Kanwad Yatra at its level and will seek cooperation from the other departments concerned as per the requirement. It is pertinent to mention here that the Kanwad Yatra will be held from July 22 to August 2.
