Free e-rickshaw, bus service for elderly persons at Navratri fair

Extensive facilities have been put in place for devotees to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience during the Navratri festival at Mansa Devi Temple here.

Nisha Yadav, Additional Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board, said for the convenience of pregnant women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, the board has arranged 12 free e-rickshaws to operate from the parking area to the temple and from the Jatayu route to the VIP lift. Besides, Haryana Roadways will run five free mini-buses from Swastik Vihar to the fair for those arriving by trucks and tractor-trailers.

To assist devotees unable to stand in queues, a Sugam Darshan facility has been introduced. Tokens worth Rs 500 will be available at a counter near the Jatayu office, allowing access to the Ardha Mandap, while tokens worth Rs 100 will be available at Gate No. 2 near the Satsang Bhavan. The facility is also accessible online via the temple’s official website.

This year, special lighting and floral decorations will add to the temple’s grandeur. Daily “bhajan sandhya”, featuring devotional music from 7 to 9 pm pm at Trikona Park, will also be held.

Yadav said strict security arrangements were in place, with a sizeable police deployment, 66 CCTV cameras and a control room to monitor the premises. The use and sale of polythene within the temple grounds will remain strictly prohibited.

972 cops deployed

The Panchkula Police have put in place comprehensive security measures for the fair, scheduled from September 22 to October 1. DCP Srishti Gupta, after reviewing arrangements at the temple site, said thousands of devotees were expected from across Haryana and neighbouring states. The focus will be on preventing any lapses or stampede-like situations.

A total of 972 personnel will be deployed, including 542 from Panchkula with a strong presence of women officers, and 430 from Panipat, Sonepat, Hisar Range, and the Durga Shakti Force. ACP-rank officers will supervise security on the ground.

Twelve checkpoints have been set up for checking vehicles and suspicious persons. Patrolling will be carried out by various teams, while surveillance will be strengthened with binoculars, body cameras and CCTV network.

Additional security has been arranged at nearby temples, and the public has been urged to cooperate by parking vehicles only in the designated areas and reporting emergencies promptly.

The DCP instructed officials to deal courteously with devotees and offer assistance when required, describing the fair duty as an opportunity to serve. To counter anti-social elements, plainclothes personnel will be stationed in the crowd, supported by a temporary control room.