Patna: Patna Sahib is preparing to welcome thousands of devotees from across India and abroad for the 360th Prakash Parv, with the district administration accelerating preparations for the major religious celebration. This year’s event will combine religious ceremonies with cultural programmes and modern attractions, including a drone show, traditional Gatka performances and horse-riding competitions.
To ensure a smooth experience for visitors, the administration is working on comprehensive arrangements covering accommodation, traffic management, parking, drinking water, sanitation, healthcare and security.
An International Sikh Conclave will also be organised as part of the celebrations, alongside various cultural programmes and traditional performances.
Site Mapping to Guide Preparations
As part of the initial planning, a detailed site map of the celebration venue and surrounding areas will be prepared. The Tourism Department and the Patna City Land Reforms Deputy Collector have been assigned responsibility for this exercise.
The map will help identify suitable locations for the proposed tent city, accommodation facilities and parking zones. Authorities believe that advance planning will help manage large crowds and prevent traffic congestion during the celebrations.
Tent City and Parking Facilities for Devotees
Accommodation arrangements are among the administration’s key priorities, considering the expected arrival of devotees from different parts of the country and overseas.
A tent city is being planned to provide temporary accommodation along with essential facilities. Suitable parking locations will also be identified in advance to prevent unnecessary congestion near the main event venues.
The administration will prepare a dedicated traffic management plan to ensure smooth movement of vehicles and pedestrians throughout the celebrations.
Roads, Streetlights and Cleanliness to Get a Major Focus
The Roads Construction Department has been directed to repair roads wherever necessary and improve street lighting arrangements. Streetlights and LED lights will also be installed or upgraded to enhance visibility and beautify the surrounding areas.
The Patna Municipal Corporation will ensure the availability of mobile toilets, urinals and dustbins in adequate numbers. Regular cleaning of the event venues and adjoining localities will also be prioritised.
Water ATMs and Medical Facilities for Visitors
To meet the drinking water requirements of the large gathering, the Public Health Engineering Department has been instructed to arrange water ATMs, water tankers and adequate drinking water facilities.
The Health Department will establish sufficient healthcare facilities to address medical emergencies and other health-related requirements during the celebrations.
Police Posts and Enhanced Security Arrangements
Security arrangements will be strengthened to manage the expected rush of devotees. The police department has been directed to establish police posts at strategic locations and put effective crowd-control measures in place.
Authorities are also focusing on removing encroachments from Patna Sahib and surrounding areas to ensure unobstructed movement and better access to public facilities.
Officials Directed to Complete Preparations on Time
The preparations were reviewed during a meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Rajesh Kumar on Thursday. Department-wise responsibilities were assigned, with officials instructed to coordinate closely and complete all arrangements within the stipulated timeline.
The commissioner emphasised that negligence at any level would not be tolerated.
The meeting was attended by Municipal Commissioner Yashpal Meena, Deputy Development Commissioner Shubham Kumar, DIG Jitendra Rana, members of the Gurdwara Management Committee and officials from various departments.
With religious ceremonies, an International Sikh Conclave, cultural performances, Gatka, horse-riding competitions and a drone show planned, the 360th Prakash Parv is expected to bring together faith, tradition and modern celebrations in Patna Sahib.
The administration’s immediate priority is to ensure that all arrangements are completed well ahead of the event so that devotees visiting the historic Sikh pilgrimage site can enjoy a safe, comfortable and memorable experience.
