Chirag Gupta
Patna: A meeting was held at the Collectorate in Patna under the chairmanship of District Magistrate Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh to discuss the preparations for the Punpun International Pitru Paksha Fair, 2024. The fair, scheduled from September 17 to October 2, is significant from a tourism perspective, attracting thousands of pilgrims and tourists from countries such as Nepal and Bhutan. The Punpun River, revered as the first altar of Pitru Tarpan, sees numerous devotees performing Pinddaan and Tarpan rituals for their ancestors.
Dr. Singh emphasized the importance of completing all administrative arrangements on time and ensuring effective inter-departmental coordination. Departments including Tourism, Revenue, Railways, Public Health Engineering, Nagar Panchayat, Disaster Management, Fire, Traffic, and Transport were instructed to fulfill their responsibilities promptly. Specific directions were given to the Executive Officer, Nagar Panchayat, Punpun to maintain the functionality of all installed LED high-mast lights and to set up a temporary control room and tourist assistance center monitored through CCTV.
For the convenience of devotees, temporary tents, barricading, boats, divers, and NDRF/SDRF personnel will be deployed, with QRTs remaining active. An anti-sabotage check of the fair premises will be conducted. Dr. Singh also directed the Sub-Divisional Officer to request a short-term halt of trains at Punpun Ghat Railway Halt and Punpun Station to facilitate the movement of devotees.
The meeting included a detailed presentation by Sub-Divisional Officer Masaurhi, Amit Kumar Patel, covering pre-preparation plans for the fair. Discussions focused on essential aspects like drinking water, cleanliness, lighting, traffic, accommodation, security, and help desk counters. Dr. Singh reviewed arrangements for cleanliness, drinking water, toilets, electricity, traffic, railway facilities, and law and order, giving necessary instructions to ensure flawless execution.
In terms of cleanliness, Dr. Singh stressed the importance of maintaining hygiene around the fair premises, places of worship, and accommodation areas. He instructed the Nagar Panchayat, Punpun to implement cleaning and fogging in three shifts daily, with additional urinals, dustbins, and separate washrooms for men and women.
Proper drinking water arrangements were mandated, including the deployment of water tanks, water ATMs, and Jaldoot at key locations. Existing hand pumps will be repaired, and halogen tablets will be provided for water purification. Temporary mobile toilets and changing rooms will be set up, with regular cleaning ensured by deployed workers.
The Health Department was directed to provide robust medical care, with doctors and paramedical staff on duty round the clock. Ambulances, life-saving medicines, and medical aid publicity will be arranged. Law and order will be maintained through continuous surveillance by magistrates and police officers, with a temporary control room and helpline set up.
Dr. Singh instructed the Executive Engineer of Electricity to ensure an uninterrupted power supply and repair dilapidated electric poles and wires. For disaster management, the possibility of rising water levels in the Punpun River was noted, and necessary actions such as barricading major puja ghats and deploying NDRF/SDRF teams and boatmen were ordered. Firefighting arrangements and designated parking areas with essential facilities were also planned.
The Sub-Divisional Officer was tasked with coordinating with Danapur Railway Division for train stoppages, lighting, and cleanliness at Punpun railway stations. Tourist facilities, including temporary stalls and assistance centers, will be set up, and wide publicity through hoardings and banners will be ensured. Road repairs from Pind Daan Sthal to Punpun-Akbarpur road via Punpun Bazaar and near Patna-Gaya NH-83 will be carried out by the Rural Works and Road Construction Departments.
Dr. Singh concluded by stating that excellent crowd management, smooth traffic, and strong law and order are top priorities, and all officers should remain alert, ready, and committed to ensuring the fair’s success.
