Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh today chaired a meeting of officers and members of Mela Committee to discuss the arrangements for annual Jhiri Mela commencing from November 14. Additional Deputy Commissioner Jammu Arun Manhas, SDM Marh Ved Parkash, ACD Jammu Shokat Mahmood, Additional Secretary JKAACL Arvinder Singh Aman, Executive Engineers PHE, PDD, Irrigation, SP Rural Arun Gupta, BDO Marh Ranjeet Singh senior officers of various departments besides members of civil attended the meeting.Threadbare discussion was held regarding preparations to be put in place for the annual mela.The Deputy Commissioner stressed on maintaining synergy among different departments for systematic and foolproof arrangements at the Mela site for the convenience of the visiting devotees, who come in large numbers from across the world.Other arrangements discussed in the meeting mainly included provision of drinking water, sanitation, health, uninterrupted power supply, security, stocking of ration and other commodities, provision for accommodation of the devotees, deployment of fire tenders at the venue, setting up of stalls by various departments and conduct of cultural programmes during the Mela.
The Public Works department was asked to complete the blacktopping and upgradation work of approach roads adjoining Jhiri well before the commencement of the Mela.The Deputy Commissioner informed that under Rural Tourism Rs 1 crore has been sanctioned for upgrading power infrastructure in the area. He directed the Executive Engineer PDD to ensure the completion of the work well before start of Jhiri Mela. He stressed upon the tourism department to promote the mela through advertisements and campaign. The PDD was also directed to ensure proper lighting arrangements in addition to un-interrupted power supply at the venue during the mela days.The PHE Department was asked to ensure uninterrupted water supply with provision for additional water tanks, hand pumps and sprinklers for cleaning of venue.The Deputy Commissioner directed the traffic authorities to ensure proper regulation of traffic during the festival days.It was informed that a Control Room has been set up which will be made functional round the clock for the convenience of the devotees, while the Mela Officer will ensure coordination among the line departments to extend all facilities to the devotees.