Officials told to ensure no lapses ahead of Shirgao jatra: Sawant

Tight monitoring, 84 CCTVs, mock drill planned

Bicholim: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has instructed government authorities to ensure that all arrangements for the Shirgao jatra of Shri Lairai Devi are in place a week prior to the festivity, which will be held on April 21.

North Goa Collector Yatin Yadav held a joint meeting of all departments concerned, reviewed the preparations, and inspected the temple surroundings and the ‘homkand’ site.

Mayem MLA Premendra Shet, deputy collector of Bicholim, mamlatdar, deputy superintendent of police, police inspector, transport inspector, engineers of PWD and electricity departments, and devasthan committee members were present.

“Special measures will be taken regarding transport, such as direction boards, a queue system for devotees to seek blessings of the deity, and a tight security system. A total of 84 CCTV cameras will monitor the functioning. No stalls will be allowed on the roadside from the homkhand to Adisthan temple at Mudder,” said Shet. Only 34 stalls are permitted behind the temple site area, which will be marked by the PWD. On April 18, a mock drill will be held, he added.

In the meantime, dhonds at different villages and other areas across the state will begin their fast from Friday. “More than 20,000 vratasth dhonds perform ‘agnidivya’ (walking on burning charcoal) on the first day of the jatra, followed by the four-day-long Kaulotsav,” said Ratnakar Govekar, a dhond from Vhavti–Vathadev.