Safety measures tightened for Ram Navami procession in Gaya | Patna News

Authorities in Patna are ensuring a safe Ram Navami celebration with a 40-foot Lord Ram idol. Power supply will be cut along procession routes, and low-hanging cables are being addressed. Officials inspected the route, focusing on crowd management, medical facilities, and road repairs.

Patna: As the Ram Navami Puja Samiti is all set to take out a 40 ft-high idol of Lord Ram, the district administration has directed the South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL) to take all precautionary measures to prevent electrocution or mishap.The idol of Lord Ram will be placed on a crane thereby further raising its height.When contacted, Azad Kumar Singh, executive engineer (Gaya urban), SBPDCL, said work was being carried out to fix low hanging distribution cables. The Discom is also planning to stop power supply on Ram Navami procession route to ensure safety of the participants.According to Mani Lal Barik, general secretary, Ramnavmi Puja Samiti, altogether 105 ‘shobha yatras’ will be taken out from different parts of the city and the maximum number (30) will be taken out from the Vishnupad area.Barik made it clear that there was no tradition of distribution of swords among the processionists and the weapons were awarded only to the three best performing Akhadas.On Monday district magistrate Shashank Shubhankar and SSP Sushil Kumar, conducted an inspection of the procession route from Azad Park to Vishnupad. As per traditions, all processions congregate near Azad Park and then move on to Vishnupad.Officials have been briefed about crowd management protocol. The DM said that adequate medical facilities and proper lighting will be ensured near Azad Park. During inspection, the DM came across open drains and uneven roads along the procession route. Expressing displeasure, the DM directed officials to get the drains covered and level the road surface.Strong barricading arrangement is being made near Kali Mandir in Murarpur. CCTV coverage, adequate lighting and deputation of magistrates will be made as it is considered to be a very sensitive point. A mini-control room too would be set up near the Kali Mandir.As per the DM’s direction, high-level vigilance will be maintained in areas having mixed populations and also places identified as sensitive. The DM also directed the SBPDCL executive engineer to inform power users in advance about the power cut during the procession. SMS messages have to be sent to power users indicating the duration of the power cut in different areas.