Arrangements for Panchalinga Darshana to focus on hygiene

The Dengue scare in the district may have subsided in recent days but the district administration doesn’t want to take any chances with the Panchalinga Darshana, slated to be held at Talakad in T Narsipur taluk in the district, on December 2.

Addressing a preliminary meeting of officers recently, Deputy Commissioner Ramegowda said with footfalls estimated to be between 30 lakh and 35 lakh, the department of Health and Family Welfare should take adequate measures to check the spread of epidemics at the time.

Measures like setting up make-shift hospital, stocking of emergency medicines and awareness programmes on Information, Education and Communication (IEC) with thrust on hygiene have to be taken up, he said.

The deputy commissioner instructed other departments concerned to draw up an action plan and proposals in advance and create basic infrastructural facilities to make it hassle free for the devotees. He directed the officers to give preference for permanent works that could help avoid recurring expenditure during the similar occasions in the future.

He directed the Public Works department to initiate measures to instal temporary barricades, a helipad, stainless steel railings, renovation of guest houses, refurbishing furniture and development of all prominent roads and State Highways (79 and 84) connecting Talakad. Further, service roads too should be developed with dilapidated bridges on them rebuilt, he added.

The Panchayat Raj Engineering Wing of ZP has also taken up works to develop 35 km of road and 5,000 metres of drainage and temporary drinking water facilities at 10 places in Talakad, he said.

Permanent and temporary toilets, separate for men and women, will be set up. Similarly, temporary cloak rooms and shelters will also be constructed. A total of 1,300 changing rooms with 1,080 reserved for women, needs to be built, Ramegowda said.

Permanent rooms for changing clothes at two places and parking lot at four places will be identified. A plan has to be drawn up for renovation of existing government buildings in Talakad and construction of permanent rest rooms for devotees at Mudukuthore, another pilgrim centre near Talakad, he added.

The deputy commissioner said that police had to ensure adequate security, besides opening check-posts and putting other mechanisms in place. The onus of cultural programmes is on Kannada and Culture department. The department should not give room to any chaos and confusions, especially pertaining to the remuneration for participating artistes, poets and others, he added.

On supply of electricity, he said that Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) would instal an additional five permanent transformers in the vicinity of Talakad, Mudukuthore and Sri Arkeshwara Swamy temple. Generators will be stationed for the illumination of temples, he added.

Bathing facilities will be provided at the River Cauvery, Madhava Mantri canal and other places while safety walls at the canals will be repaired, Ramegowda added.

To enable transportation facility for devotees, KSRTC will ply adequate fleet of buses and also tour packages for the benefit of intra-State devotees. Fire and emergency services department will take precautionary measures for the safety of devotees.