Energy, New and Renewable Energy, Public Relations and Mineral Resources Minister Rajendra Shukla has said that large-scale and concreted safety arrangements will be made at Kamadgiri Parikrama Sthal in Chitrakoot.
He said that the narrow path near second Mukharbind Mandir of Kamta Nath will be widened. Parikrama Sthal's pathway's narrow sections will be identified and widened by 25 to 30 feet. Strict measures will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur. Shukla was inspecting the site at Kamadgiri Parikrama Sthal where stampede occurred on Somwati Amavasiya.
Shukla said that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur at religious places. He said that a proposal will be sent and got sanctioned from the state government to maintain Chitrakoot's temples and manage fairs on the lines of Maihar Mandir Prabandhan Samiti. He also laid emphasis on enhanced funds for Mela management and tight safety arrangements in view of increasing number of devotees turning out at Melas on festivals in Chitrakoot.
State-level Mela Samiti will be activated to manage large Melas held on festivals in the state. Kamadgiri Parikrama Sthal's 3 narrow paths will be specially identified and widened adequately. He said that path will be widened by removing yagya kund (Vedi) in front of second Mukharbind Mandir. Shukla said that Nagar Panchayat will ensure adequate drinking water and light arrangements during Mela.
The Minister said that apart from placing barricades by police, all other possible measures will be taken up to control rush of people. State government will extend all possible assistance in organising large Melas. Shukla directed to complete advance security and safety arrangements before Deepawali Mela in Kamadgiri Parikrama.
He directed district collector to chalk out an action plan for a separate pathway for devotees doing Parikrama by crawling. Shukla said that shopkeepers and beggars should be removed from Parikrama Path.Shukla along with DGP Nandan Dube and Principal Secretary Home BP Singh inspected the incident site.
He sought information about the incident from priests and local people. Divisional Commissioner KP Rahi and IG Pawan Shrivastava informed the Minister that decisions have been taken for proper arrangements on Kamadgiri Parikrama and Mela management by discussing 14 points at a meeting of administrative officers, public representatives and saints-seers after the incident.