Chief Secretary Reviews Shravani Mela Preparations with Focus on Crowd Management and Pilgrim Safety

Ranchi: The state government is making large-scale preparations for the annual Rajkiya Shravani Mela, scheduled from July 11 to August 9, during which over 5 million devotees are expected to visit Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar and Baba Basukinath Dham in Dumka. Extensive arrangements across departments are underway to ensure a smooth, safe, and comfortable experience for pilgrims.

On Wednesday, Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari chaired a high-level review meeting with senior officials, including the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of Deoghar and Dumka. The meeting emphasized accountability and systematic planning for the successful conduct of the fair.

Tiwari stressed that crowd management is of utmost importance, especially preventing stampede-like situations. She instructed that the movement of devotees be properly regulated to avoid overcrowding at any point. Pilgrims should be guided in small, manageable groups to maintain order. Security personnel deployed at sensitive locations must be well-trained, alert, and cannot leave their post without proper replacement.

The Chief Secretary directed that all standard safety protocols be strictly implemented. AI-enabled CCTV cameras and drones should be used for real-time monitoring. Any signs of crowd congestion must be addressed immediately. Pathways should be level and obstacle-free to prevent tripping, and stairways, if present, should have anti-slip surfaces. Separate entry and exit routes for devotees must be arranged to streamline movement.

Uninterrupted electricity supply is mandatory, with backup arrangements in place. Exposed wires along public routes must be eliminated. At entry points, metal detectors should be used, but care must be taken to avoid bottlenecks.

Based on past experience, crowd pressure tends to peak when temple doors open. Local DCs and SPs must be present on-site during these peak hours to personally supervise arrangements. Additional attention is required on Sundays and Mondays due to higher footfall.

Senior officers from key departments have been directed to visit the mela area in advance to identify and fix any gaps in arrangements. Cleanliness is to be strictly maintained, especially considering the monsoon season. The Chief Secretary instructed the provision of clean drinking water throughout the area and well-maintained sanitation facilities at temporary tent cities. Departments must ensure timely availability of disposable bed sheets as per the Chief Minister's directions.

To assist pilgrims, hoardings and signboards should be placed at key locations providing information on routes, medical aid, and rest points. QR codes for lodging complaints or sharing feedback must be clearly displayed.

The review meeting also covered arrangements for the Kanwaria path, road conditions at Baba Dham and Basukinath, accommodations, traffic management, fire safety, ambulance and health services, and street lighting.