With Shivratri fair just two weeks away, a clean-up drive sweeps through Mandi

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Mandi, February 23

Mandi Mayor Virender Bhatt said better arrangements would be made by the MC authorities this time to ensure cleanliness in the city and its surrounding areas during the week-long Shivartri fair, which is set to kickstart on March 9.

To formulate a strategy for this, a meeting of the cleanliness arrangements subcommittee of the fair was organised under the chairmanship of the Mayor today. Important decisions were taken in the meeting on the cleanliness and hygiene during the fair.

The Mayor said the Municipal Corporation had started the work of cleaning temples, drains and important places across the city. Around 100 cleaning assistants would be appointed during the Shivratri fair at the places where the deities stay, he added.

“During the Shivratri fair, two separate garbage bins will be placed near food stalls and in shops so that wet and dry garbage can be disposed of properly. Garbage will be collected from the Paddal ground three times a day. All the toilets in the city will be cleaned thrice a day using phenyl. Arrangements will also be made for temporary toilets during the fair,” he said.

“The food items in the fair will be routinely checked by the food safety officer. Water will be sprinkled across the city during the fair. The Jal Shakti Department will arrange for additional water supply during the fair at the Paddal ground. The Health Department will set up a health check-up centre at the fair, in which first aid and health check-ups can be done, and the provision of an ambulance will also be made. The state Public Works Department will clean the drains under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation,” he added.

Bhatt said, “Instructions have been given to the PWD to make zebra crossings on town roads before the fair. Instructions were also given to the state Electricity Board and BSNL to fix the wires hanging haphazardly under the MC jurisdiction before the start of this festival. Seri Manch, Indira Market and Chohatta Bazaar will be cleaned with the help of the fire brigade. One vehicle of the fire brigade will be stationed at the Paddal ground, and another at Seri Manch. During Shivratri, stray animals will be kept away from the area under MC jurisdiction so that the traffic is streamlined and people do not have to face any kind of problems.”

Deputy Mayor Madhuri Kapoor; Councillors Rajender Mohan, Yograj, Sudesh Kumari, Deepali Jaswal, Neha Kumari; nominated Councillors Dinesh Patial, Nitin Bhatia, Darshan Thakur and Yashkant; Municipal Corporation Commissioner HS Rana; Tehsildar Narender Kumar and others were present during the meeting.