Ujjain : With only one working year left for Simhastha Fair-2016, the local administrative authorities are now planning various arrangements in practical manner. During standup meeting on Monday, new SP Manohar Verma, who was ASP Simhastha previously, took command and compelled the officials to rethink on their strategy in view of bath arrangements and smooth flow of visitors.
Divisional Commissioner Ravindra Pastor and Simhastha Fair Officer Avinash Lavaniya had convened the standup meeting at Gaughat section of the river Kshipra. Representatives of Akhada Parishad including Rameshwardas, Digvijaydas and Bhagwandas were also present. These representatives expressed concern over the polluted water of the river in the backdrop of mixing of 11 sewer drains. Lavaniya and MPEB’s assistant engineer SK Jain tried to persuade them saying that all these sewer drains will be diverted to Sadaval before the fair. These officials looked helpless when were informed that such arrangements have been proved futile.
The Gaughat was constructed during prevsious Simhastha Fair, but presently its condition is not up to the mark. During discussions, when Water Resources Department (WRD) executive engineer AK Gupta tried to divert attention by hollow submissions, Commissioner Dr Pastor rebuked him and directed that they should take concern of the bathing ghats of river Kshipra throughout the year as lakhs of people throng there in routine as well. He also took Public Works Department (PWD) SDO Komal Bhutda cross handed over the pitiable condition of government, public and private temples. Resides also made submissions with regard to drains, speed breakers.
During the standup meeting, the officials visited Lalpul area and reviewed road and ghat arrangements. SP Verma while referring to previous experiences emphasised that Gaughat should be extended and at least platforms should be constructed on the south (Sanvarakhedi) and north (Gaughat) directions of the river up to 700 meter. He informed that about one crore people are expected to throng on the day of Shahi Snan and their flow from Indore Road and Dewas Road would have to be circulated properly through south direction of the river. He cautioned that lack of planning may create problems during the fair.
SP said that flow of people from Maxi and Agar Road would have to be circulated from the north direction of the river. Prime ghats like Ramghat, Dutt Akhada and Narsing Ghat would have to be kept reserve for the sadhu-sant community between 5 am to 1 pm. Commissioner directed the WRD and PWD engineers to make proper planning in accordance with the non-stop circulation of the people on roads and ghats. They then visited Vijayaraje Scindia (Nanakheda) Stadium and decided to speed-up possession of about 8 hectare land for the purpose of parking lots. Shivendra Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Ujjain Development Authority, ADM Avadhesh Sharma and SDM Rohan Saxena assured Dr Pastor and SP to do needful.
