Civic body to repair roads, streetlights and ensure smooth celebrations
Vasco: In preparation for the 126th Damodar Bhajani Saptah that begins on July 30, the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has decided to undertake road repairs, restore streetlights and ensure enough space for the processions outside the temple premises to avoid inconvenience to devotees.
To ensure the tableaux that accompanies dindis passes smoothly outside the temple, no stalls will be allowed in that area during the festival, MMC chairperson Girish Borkar said.
Borkar said that several issues were discussed to avoid any untoward incidents and inconvenience to devotees.
“A few months ago, there was a stampede during the fair in Shirgao, so the issue of the safety of devotees was discussed. The week of Dev Damodar in Vasco will be smooth and safe as per the annual pattern, but additional steps will be taken to ensure people do not face any kind of problem,” he said.
The MMC had called a meeting on Thursday to finalise preparations for the saptah.
He said that on the night of the saptah, tableaux arrive at the temple with the dindis. Large vehicles carrying the mythological display often face difficulty maneuvering in the area outside the temple. “This year, it has been decided that enough space will be made available for the tableau to pass smoothly,” he said.
The PWD has been asked to urgently fill potholes on all major roads, including Swatantra Path, FL Gomes Road and other roads in Vasco.
The Electricity Department has been instructed to repair non-functional streetlights across Vasco to ensure devotees do not face problems during the celebrations.
As part of the regular security arrangements, the municipality will erect 10 towers in the temple and fair area and install CCTV cameras.
Borkar said that discussions were held with police officers regarding maintaining security at all times during the festival.
“If there is a need for additional towers or CCTV cameras apart from the ten towers usually erected, the police have been asked to inform us, and arrangements will be made accordingly,” Borkar said.
