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SRINAGAR: Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, has extended warm greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of the Urs of Hazrat Sultan Ali Aali Balkhi (RA), which is scheduled to commence from August 15.
In his message, the Speaker highlighted the deep spiritual and religious significance of the occasion. He said that the annual observance of this religious festival holds immense importance for the devotees across Jammu and Kashmir and beyond. He said that a large number of devotees are expected to visit the revered shrine of Hazrat Sultan Ali Aali Balkhi (RA) at Pakherpora during the 20-day-long Urs.
The Speaker particularly underscored that major religious gatherings are expected on the 11th and 13th days of the Islamic calendar, with Poshak Bandi on August 25 and Shab Khawani on August 27.
In view of the anticipated heavy footfall, he stressed the need for meticulous advance planning and coordinated arrangements to ensure that the devotees are able to participate in the religious gatherings peacefully, safely and conveniently.
The Speaker directed the district administration to put in place all necessary arrangements well in advance, with focus on drinking water supply, uninterrupted power supply, sanitation, healthcare, transport, traffic management, cleanliness and other essential civic amenities in and around the Shrine.
He called for adequate provision of drinking water points and standby arrangements to meet any exigency besides ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply at the shrine and other important locations. He also directed the concerned agencies to ensure proper sanitation facilities, deployment of adequate sanitation staff and regular lifting of waste to maintain cleanliness and hygiene throughout the Urs period.
Emphasising the importance of healthcare arrangements, the Speaker directed the Health Department to ensure availability of medical teams, essential medicines, ambulances and first-aid facilities at strategic locations, especially during the major gatherings. He called for adequate preparedness to deal with any medical emergency and directed that emergency response mechanisms remain functional throughout the event.
The Speaker stressed the need for a comprehensive traffic and transport management plan to regulate the movement of devotees and vehicles. He called for identification of adequate parking spaces, smooth traffic flow, proper route management and deployment of sufficient personnel to prevent congestion and inconvenience to visitors.
Rather directed the district administration to ensure adequate availability of passenger transport for hassle-free movement of devotees visiting the shrine. He called for sufficient passenger vehicles to be made readily available for direct connectivity between Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Budgam, Chadoora and Srinagar and Pakherpora besides ensuring convenient return transportation from Pakherpora to these destinations.
He also directed the concerned departments to undertake intensive cleanliness and sanitation drives in advance of the major gatherings and maintain the same throughout the Urs. Special attention, he said, should be paid to approach roads, public spaces, parking areas, sanitation points and other places witnessing heavy public movement. He also called for adequate street lighting in the lanes and by-lanes of Pakherpora and proper illumination of the shrine complex ahead of the Urs Sharief.
The Speaker stressed for ensuring sufficient availability and uninterrupted supply of essential commodities, including rice, flour, sugar, cooking gas and kerosene oil, during the Urs days. Keeping in view the anticipated heavy rush of devotees, he sought an additional ration quota for local consumers so that the regular requirements of the resident population are not affected.
He also called for intensified market checking in Pakherpora and adjoining areas to prevent profiteering, hoarding, black-marketing and overcharging by unscrupulous traders.
The Speaker called upon all concerned departments to work in close coordination and maintain effective inter-departmental synergy so that every aspect of the arrangements is adequately covered. He emphasised that all basic facilities should be fully functional before the commencement of the major gatherings and that contingency arrangements should also be kept ready to meet any unforeseen situation.
Rather appealed to the devotees and visitors to maintain peace, cleanliness and discipline and extend cooperation to the administration and volunteers for smooth conduct of the Urs. The Speaker expressed hope that the sacred occasion would further strengthen the spirit of communal harmony, brotherhood and spiritual devotion among the people.
