E-Paper
?Akshayvat? issue: Army not ready to budge
Army is not ready to budge over the issue of opening Akshayvat--an undying tree--inside Allahabad Fort for the masses during the forthcoming Ardh Kumbh fair. Issue of security happens to be the major cause which has overshadowed other matters.
Army is not ready to budge over the issue of opening Akshayvat--an undying tree--inside Allahabad Fort for the masses during the forthcoming Ardh Kumbh fair. Issue of security happens to be the major cause which has overshadowed other matters.
Lt Col BN Lal, Administrative Officer, said this while expressing his views on the issue at a meeting of Ardh Kumbh Mela Advisory Committee held at the Mela office on Monday.
Lt Col Lal further demanded the installation of six high masts of 30 feet height. He further informed the officers present that the officials of the Intelligence Department of the State Government will be continuously in touch with the army personnel concerning the security matter.
It may be noted that State Tourism Department is on its toes to get the approval from Defence Ministry for opening the entire Fort for the pilgrims and to have it evacuated from army.
The letter pertaining to the issue has already been sent to the Defence Ministry by the State Tourism Minister.
Pragyan Ram Mishra, mela officer, who presided over the meeting said that no separate gates would be allowed to be erected on the main roads of the mela area. Only the organisations situated at the north side of GT Road will get the approval of erecting the gates.
Mishra further presented the details of the progress being made in the works being undertaken in the mela area and asked for any suggestions from the officials of the committee.
City North MLA Dr Narendra Kumar Singh Gaur demanded the facelift of the bathing ghats on Ganga at Rasoolabad, Shankerghat and Phaphamau.
He asked the officials to pay attention to the renovation of the link roads, arrangement of lights and repairing the roads near the river.
"Senior Superindent of Police (SSP) should be immediately appointed in the mela area. The documents related to the budget allotted to each department and their respective jobs should be provided to the committee members before the meeting," he added.
The members of Prayagwal Sabha laid stress on strengthening the security during the Ardh Kumbh mela.
Laying the chequered plates and construction of appropriate number of public toilets were also among the lists of their demands.
They further demanded the opening of Akshayvat for the pilgrims.
Madhu Chakaha laid stress on the need of the renovation of Panchkoshi Marg and the construction of hospital equipped with all the latest equipment for treatment.
Lighting arrangements on both the Yamuna bridges and hike in ferry charges were also proposed during the meeting.
Concluding the meeting, mela officer said that the mela area will be declared as the 'No Drink' area.
