Ujjain : Game of hide and seek of administrative and police officials amid the haste of completing Simhastha-2016 development works is in full swing.
This was clearly evident during the inspection of Simhastha development works by Director General of Police (DGP), Surendra Singh on Tuesday afternoon as officials tried their best to keep away the inspection from the hawk eyes of the media persons. Top cop of the State, Singh was in city on Tuesday to check the progress of the ongoing development works of police department for upcoming Simhastha Fair 2016. DGP Singh and ADG SL Thaosen were welcomed by IG V Madhukumar, DIG Rakesh Gupta, SP MS Verma and other police officials at Police Officers Mess where he chaired a review meeting of ongoing works.
After inspecting new constructed facility at Officers Mess, convoy of DGP moved towards Sanwarakhedi Satellite Town, Lal Pul, Gaughat, Bhukimata, Ramghat area and other areas. DGP inspected minutely the construction works and directed the police officials to expedite the progress work so as work could be completed within stipulated time period. DGP also directed the police officials to conduct the comparative study of the preparations of previous Simhastha Fair of 2004 and of upcoming Simhastha Fair so that best arrangements could be made for the devotees.
DGP cleared that entry and exit plan should be chalked out in such a manner that it needs not to be changed at the time of execution during the fair. Police authorities had assured pressmen that after the inspection DGP will address the press conference and will solve the every query of pressmen, but assurance went haywire at the end of the day. Moreover, the Police Control Room also released two press notes.
First was repetition of his meeting with officers which was held earlier at the IG office. Later, ‘amended’ press note was released in the late night. DGP will conduct inspection of preparations at Omkareshwar on Wednesday.
WHY IT WAS DGP’S CRUCIAL VISIT?
Devotees coming to Ujjain on the Shahi Snana from different directions would not be allowed to reach one to two km radius of the Ram Ghat-Dutt Akhara as they are being made ‘buffer zones’. Instead, they would be allowed to return back from Narsing Ghat and Bhukhi Mata Ghat, respectively. A senior IPS officer disclosed to Free Press that it would be nearly impossible for the people coming on the Shahi Snana to reach Mahakal Temple. Although, there would be 7 satellite towns for ensuring smooth vehicular and human traffic arrangements, pressure of the crowd is likely to be there near Lal Pull as the inner ring roads would pave a way for them via Agar Road-Dewas Road-Indore Road to Sanwarakhedi satellite town and from there to Lal Pull and Narsing Ghat. “Barring Shahi Snan day, there will be different arrangements, but it will really be a challenging task for us to ensure arrangements on the significant day,” admitted the officer.
