Preparation of Holiges to offer feast to visitiors of Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahithya Sammelana begins in Mandya on Wednesday.
Credit: DH Photo
Mandya: The countdown has begun for the three-day 87th Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, scheduled to be held from December 20 to 22 in Mandya, Karnataka.
A huge dais is being erected, with a seating arrangement for around 40,000 people, on a 64-acre land on the outskirts of Mandya city, behind Sanjo Hospital.
Stalls
There will be around 900 stalls, including 450 book stalls, 350 commercial stalls and around 55 government department stalls, on the premises.
Special arrangements have been made to provide food to the participants. In an effort to prevent the rush, separate food counters have been opened. There will be 40 food counters for those who had registered for the event and 120 counters for others. Besides, separate counters have been made for VIPs and media personnel, he said.
Toilets
As thousands of people will gather for the literary event, priority is given for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. Arrangements have been made for around 250 toilets and 50 bathrooms for cooks. Generator is arranged in case of power disruption, during the event. Precautionary measures have been taken to prevent any fire mishap, he said.
All efforts are made for a plastic-free event. The district administration has geared up for the literary meeting and all facilities are made for women participants. KSRTC services will be used and a route map is being prepared for a free service to the venue during the convention.
Food experts
Lakhs of people are expected to participate in the Sammelana. A team of food experts has been formed. It will check the quality of the food prepared and submit a report, said Deputy Commissioner Kumar.
All efforts are made to provide pure drinking water. A 5.8-km long pipeline has been laid to provide water from three borewells. Water will be supplied for cooking and toilets from overhead tanks. RO plants have been installed at three places. The water samples will also be tested, he added.
3,200 police personnel
Around 3,200 police personnel from 14 districts, including six ASPs, 21 DySPs, 63 CPIs, 170 PSIs, 262 ASIs, 1,500 constables, 1,000 home guards, and 165 women constables, will be deployed for the Sammelana in three shifts, said Superintendent of Police Mallikarjuna Baladandi. A police outpost and helpline centre will be opened and more than 10 fire tenders will be deployed, he said.
‘Sahitya Saarige’ Bus
A special KSRTC Sahitya Saarige Bus will be operated every one hour. In all, 105 buses will be deployed, with around 15 buses per taluk. Around 15 free buses will ply for the benefit of the people of Mandya city. A health centre will be opened near the registration centre. It will work 24x7, said Deputy Commissioner Kumar.