Bicholim: Senior civil, police and fire officials camped overnight at Shirgao ahead of the jatra of Goddess Lairai on Tuesday, as thousands of devotees are expected to gather for the annual event.
Bicholim mamlatdar Pravind Gawas, deputy collector Shubham Naik, deputy superintendent of police Shridevi B V, PI Vijay Rane and Bicholim fire station officer Rahul Dessai remained stationed at the jatra site through the night.
A force of 900 policemen, along with fire personnel, has been deployed at Shirgao, and more personnel will be deployed if needed, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said.
Only dhonds will be allowed to take the holy dip in the ‘tali’ (pond) to avoid heavy rush.
Two-wheelers and buses coming from the Thivim side will be allowed to park at the KTC bus stand and open space at Assonora, while vehicles coming from Sankhali and Bicholim will be allowed to park along the Bicholim-Mulgao bypass road, behind the temple, and near the Bandekar and Chowgule mines ground.
Temple president Dinanath Gaonkar appealed to dhonds and devotees to make the jatra a success.
Meanwhile, Lairai dhonds and villagers from Sawarbhat-Latambarsem on Monday staged a morcha at the Bicholim PWD office, demanding immediate regular drinking water supply.
They told officials that Sawarbhat in Latambarsem panchayat has been facing water shortage for the past week, with taps running dry. Only one tanker of water is being supplied daily, which they said is insufficient for dhonds observing vrat and other villagers.
They gheraoed the officer and demanded urgent restoration of water supply to meet daily needs.
