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Aparna Banerji
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, November 27
With nearly 10 lakh devotees expected at Sultanpur Lodhi during the 551st Parkash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev, ambitious preparation of the event have begun in the district.
With the city bracing up for a huge inflow of devotees amid the pandemic, the district administration is also taking special measures to make sure Covid protocol is strictly adhered to.
Highlights
10 lakh devotees to be expected at holy city
6 parking spaces to be made available on all roads to Sultanpur Lodhi
Digital Health checks-ups at entrances
50 hand-wash stations, sanitisers to be provided
Health check-posts to provide free Covid tests
80 auto-rickshaws to ferry pilgrims to gurdwara from parking spaces
50,000 masks to be distributed by administration.
Six Smart City projects will be inaugurated by the CM at the holy city of Sultanpur Lodhi on November 30.
Deputy Commissioner Deepti Uppal said: “Five of the projects are related to the Smart City project launched last year. Under the solar rooftop project, buildings of Government Boys School at Sultanpur Lodhi, Civil Hospital, Daman Mandi, BDPO office and three other buildings will be covered with solar power plants. We also plan to include the upcoming DAC complex into solar grid paneling in the next phase. The sewerage treatment plants of 2 and 4 MLD shall improve the sewage disposal mechanism of the city, while work is also being done to renew sewage lines in Kapurthala city, which presently need work. Meanwhile, the Qila Serai project will see a total refurbishment of the outer building in the first phase. In the next phase, the inner building shall be worked upon. The idea is to develop it into a tourist hub.”
On measures to be taken to keep Covid at bay amid the arrival of lakhs of devotes, the DC said: “We are expecting 3 to 5 lakh devotees on November 30, while 4 lakh more are expected to arrive on other days. So, in anticipation of about 10 lakh or so devotees, a detailed set up has been ensured to ensure strict adherence to Covid protocol. Hand-washing stations have been set up at key pandals and major stations, where celebrations shall take place. Masks and sanitisers shall be provided to the public at all stations. Devotees shall be screened at all entrances with digital thermometers and health check-posts. Free testing of devotees shall also be available at all health check-posts. A team of 100 volunteers has also be deputed to ensure all devotes are made to sit as per social distancing protocol at the pandal.”
Gurpurb: Projects to be inaugurated by CM
- Conservation of Quila Serai Project under Smart Cities Mission Rs6.52 Cr
- Setting up of Grid Tied Rooftop Solar Power Plants at seven government buildings in Sultanpur Lodhi Rs125.37 lakh
- Construction of Smart Anganwadis at Govt Sr Secondary School (Boys), Sultanpur Lodhi Rs45 lakh
- Construction of Govt Sr Secondary School (Boys), Sultanpur Lodhi as Smart School Rs950.90 lakh
- Construction of two Sewage Treatment Plants (1 MLD and 4 MLD) Rs20 crore
- Construction of New Tehsil Complex in Sultanpur Lodhi Rs3 crore
A provision of 50 hand-wash stations has been made and 50,000 masks shall be distributed among devotees. In addition, six parking lots have been set up on all roads to Sultanpur Lodhi, 80 auto-rickshaws shall ferry pilgrims to the gurdwara from the parking lots, temporary toilets have been made at many places and pandals have also been set up for devotees.
The celebrations will begin from November 28 and go on till November 30. Akhand path will also be held at Sultanpur Lodhi from 10 am on Saturday.
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