Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Reviews Preparations for Kartik Purnima Melas in Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow, November 10 (Daily Kiran) : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted a review of the preparations for the Kartik Purnima Ganga Snan Mela in Gadhmukteshwar and the Tigris Mela on November 10. Officials from various districts, including Meerut, Bareilly, Amroha, Hapur, and Moradabad, participated via video conferencing. The Chief Minister stressed the importance of timely preparations, stating that this event should symbolize faith, discipline, and cleanliness, akin to a “mini Kumbh” for Western Uttar Pradesh.

He projected that between 2.5 to 3 million devotees would attend the fair, with the main bathing festival scheduled for November 24. Adityanath emphasized the need for meticulous arrangements to ensure safety and cleanliness, urging authorities to provide essential facilities such as drinking water and sanitation while prohibiting single-use plastics.

The Chief Minister instructed that the sale of alcohol and narcotics be strictly banned within the fair’s command area. He called for adequate bathing facilities at the ghats and proper channelization of the river as needed. Sufficient sanitation personnel should be deployed, and temporary healthcare facilities at the Community Health Center level must be established, complete with ambulances and necessary resources.

To ensure safety, a robust police presence, including female officers and teams from NDRF and SDRF, will be stationed on both sides of the fairgrounds. He advised senior police officials to conduct counseling for their teams ahead of the event and to avoid distractions such as filming on duty. Effective management of traffic, parking, and public address systems, along with surveillance measures like CCTV and watchtowers, was also highlighted.

Adityanath encouraged the promotion of sports and cultural activities at the fair, proposing that local artists be given a platform to perform. He requested that only respectful programs aligned with the spirit of the event take place. Local representatives will be invited to honor winners from various age groups during the festivities.

The tourism and culture department has been tasked with organizing spiritual events, including the recitation of the Shrimad Bhagwat Katha and performances like Rasleela and Ramleela. Additionally, modern entertainment such as laser and drone shows will be included.

The Chief Minister also directed a campaign against misinformation on social media and called for initiatives to combat substance abuse during the event. Competitions for children, including slogans, speeches, and essays, will be held, and patriotic songs will be played over public address systems to promote positive messages and government achievements.

For safety, fire tenders will remain on alert, and a control room will operate 24/7. Vigilance against undesirable elements and wildlife will be prioritized, and the transport department is expected to arrange extra buses to accommodate the influx of devotees.