SRINAGAR: In view of forthcoming Holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram, the Deputy Commissioner(DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad Saturday undertook an extensive visit of various Shia populated areas and Imambargahs in City including Zadibal, Alamgaribazar, Hasanabad and Gulshanbagh to take a firsthand appraisal of arrangements being made for smooth observance of Muharram proceedings.
On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner passed several onspot directions to the line Departments and stressed on elaborate arrangements and sustained efforts facilitating the observance of important proceedings especially on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.
At Zadibal Imambara, the DC held a detailed interaction with the local community to have first-hand feedback of the arrangements to be put in place during the Holy Month of Muharram-ul-Haram.
The Chief Medical Officer and officers of the Health Department were asked to keep first aid facilities, Medical teams and Ambulances available in the areas and also accompany the processions to ensure immediate first aid/ medical treatment.
The DC asked the SMC and allied departments to repair all dysfunctional Street lights including High Mass lights around Imambaras and make them functional well before the start of the Holy month. He also stressed on ensuring cleanliness of lanes and drains inside the compounds of Imambaras, Shrines and roads enroute Procession routes.
The DC also asked the concerned Departments to repair and macadamize all roads leading to Imambaras and through which Muharram processions will pass at the earliest so that people do not face any difficulty.
Similarly, in order to ensure uninterrupted electricity and water supplies particularly in Shia populated areas, the DC passed on spot directions to concerned Officers for making all arrangements he also asked Executive Engineer PHE to keep provision of water tanker supply wherever required.
To address any issue caused due to water logging in view of inclement weather conditions, the DC asked the concerned Department to dewatering pumps installed in a state of readiness.
The DC also a joint control room will also be established to address day to days issues during the Muharram days.
At Hasanabad Imambara, the DC took stock of the similar arrangements and asked officers to complete all arrangements well before the start of the Holy month.
Meanwhile, the DC also visited the Shrine of Mir Shams-ud-din Muhammad Araqi at Zadibal to oversee the arrangements being made for the smooth observance of Muharram.
Earlier, General Secretary, All J&K Shia Association Abid Ansari presented a detailed charter of demands before the DC.
During the visit, the DC was accompanied by Additional District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Zahoor Ahmad Mir, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dr Syed Haneef Balkhi, Chief Planning officer, Mohammad Yaseen Lone, besides, Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers of R&B, PDD, PHE, CMO, Tehsildars, ARTO and other senior officers from Police and Civil Administration.
While, General Secretary, All J&K Shia Association, Abid Hussain Ansari and other prominent Shia leaders also accompanied the DC.
