In view of the ensuing Ambubachi Mela, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday held a review meeting to assess the preparations put into place for the successful celebrations of this annual socio-spiritual congregation.
The festival will be held from June 22 to June 25, 2019.
The meeting, which was also attended by Assam tourism minister Chandan Brahma, had a threadbare discussion on several aspects of the Ambubachi Mela.
Also read: Assam: Ambubachi Mela to start from June 22
Chief minister Sonowal directed all line departments and district administration to put everything in place for the smooth conduct of the festival.
Sonowal pointed out that since lakhs of devotees from across the country and outside will converge on the Neelachal hill the abode of Shaktipeeth Kamakhya, all arrangements including fool-proof security measures should be put into place for the convenience of the devotees.
He took stock of the transportation, drinking water, medical, electricity, cleanliness etc and observed that under no circumstances these facilities should be undermined.
He also directed all the departments to be on their toes to embrace 25 lakh devotees who will be coming to Kamakhya during the festival.
Highlighting the importance of Kamakhya Peeth as a centre of importance in the cultural-spiritual tourism circuit in the country, chief minister Sonowal requested all the core departments to put their head and heart to showcase the unique characteristics of Assam’s socio-cultural and spiritual tourism during the Amubachi Mela.
He also said, “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 as the state keeping up its tradition on a constant high, will embrace lakhs of devotees during the five-day religious congregation”.
The Assam CM asked the departments to leave no stone unturned for pressing in all essential and required facilities for the convenience of the pilgrims.
He also asked the PHE department to ensure sufficient purified drinking water for the devotees who will be put up at make-shift camps in the city.
The CM directed officials to ensure essential facilities for pilgrims and make special arrangements for women, children and senior citizens.
Officials were also directed to brand Ambubachi in lines of the Mahakumbh Mela & design a grievance redressal mechanism for pilgrims. pic.twitter.com/dQpkVIY36g
— Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) June 18, 2019
Sonowal asked the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) to supply un-interrupted drinking water in Kamakhya Temple during Ambubachi Mela.
Considering the huge footfalls of devotees including the specially challenged ones, Sonowal asked Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) to arrange substantial fleet of buses for to and fro journey of the pilgrims.
He also asked Health and Family Welfare department to ensure round the clock treatment facilities on the premises of Kamakhya Temple including setting up of temporary special cells for the treatment of babies and aged pilgrims.
The chairman of Assam Tourism Development Corporation, Jayanta Malla Baruah, principal secretary to Tourism Rajesh Prasad, city police commissioner Deepak Kumar, Kamrup (M) deputy commissioner Biswajit Pegu, Doloi Samaj and senior officers from each department were present at the meeting.
CM Shri @sarbanandsonwal reviewed preparations for the upcoming Ambubachi Mela at Kamakhya Devalaya, Guwahati.
The historic Mela attracts thousands of pilgrims to the temple every year & will commence from 22 June this year. pic.twitter.com/UO4XUNUjHR
— Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) June 18, 2019
