Gaya: With Pitripaksh Mela scheduled from Sept 25 to Oct 10, Gaya district administration has stepped up preparations at major pind daan sites, with a focus on pilgrim safety, sanitation and providing basic amenities.During an inspection of the mela area on Wednesday, district magistrate Shashank Shubhankar directed officials to install barricades around the Vaitarni pond, where the water level is around three feet, and put up red flags above the barricades to prevent pilgrims from entering deeper areas.He also ordered the removal of moss from the steps, cleaning of the pond, repair of damaged tiles, and provision of changing rooms and drinking water.At Brahmasat Vedi, the DM directed officials to make the defunct light-and-sound project functional at the earliest. The project will highlight Gaya’s religious and historical significance and the importance of pind daan.At Akshayvat Vedi, Shubhankar directed officials to level the approach roads, repair damaged drain covers, paint the ‘vedi’ premises and ensure cleaning of toilets.He also directed officials to remove silt from Rukmini pond, maintain water quality and ensure proper sanitation. Adequate lighting, electricity, water supply, toilets and drinking water are also to be arranged at the sites. Tents and ‘pandals’ will be installed at the pind daan.The DM directed all departments to work in coordination and complete preparations within the stipulated time. He said pilgrims’ safety, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, lighting and smooth movement would remain the administration’s top priorities during the mela.Following the DM’s directions, the South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited has also stepped up preparations to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the mela area.Gaya Rural Electricity Supply Division executive engineer Binod Kumar said repair and maintenance work on ageing electrical wires, poles, transformers, feeders and substations was being carried out following a survey. Backup and alternative power arrangements were also being made to ensure continuity of supply during the mela.“Teams of engineers and technical personnel are conducting inspections of electrical installations and areas linked to the mela. The department is also putting in place a rapid-response mechanism to deal with any emergency power-related issue during the mela,” he said.
