Ayodhya (UP), Mar 21 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that with Chaitra Navratri beginning on March 30, it is essential to ensure cleanliness and the availability of basic public facilities at all religious sites, including major temples dedicated to the goddess.
The CM held a review meeting at the Commissioner’s auditorium to assess the development works of Ayodhya division law and order and the preparations for Shri Ram Navami and Shri Ram Janmotsava.
He praised the innovative efforts of the administrative and police teams of Ayodhya division for effective crowd management and smooth darshan of Shri Ram Lalla during Maha Kumbh. He emphasised that the preparations for the Shri Ram Navami Mela should draw from the learning and successful strategies implemented during the Maha Kumbh.
Highlighting the importance of coordination, Yogi directed the officials to work in close collaboration with surrounding districts. He directed the creation of holding areas equipped with essential public facilities and encouraged the involvement of social organisations to arrange langars and fruit distribution for devotees.
Considering the summer season, he stressed the need for adequate arrangements for cold drinking water, cleanliness, and other essential services for pilgrims arriving in Ayodhya. He directed the installation of water ATMs at key locations to provide cold drinking water.
The Municipal Corporation was asked to implement a three-shift cleanliness plan, morning, afternoon, and evening, ensuring that major monastery temples, ghats, and the banks of the Saryu River remain clean and well-maintained. He urged the involvement of residents and devotees in maintaining cleanliness.
He directed that roads and footpaths must be kept walkable and completely free from encroachment, with regular campaigns to enforce this. “Dedicated vending zones should be developed for street vendors,” he said.
Given the rising temperatures during Ram Navami, the CM ordered the installation of canopies for shade and mats on the darshan routes of Shri Hanuman Garhi and Shri Ram Lalla to protect devotees from the heat. Besides, to minimise walking distances, he directed that a sufficient number of e-buses be arranged from major points in Ayodhya to the temples.
He emphasised that devotees should experience a sense of joy and devotion the moment they enter Ayodhya. “To create such an atmosphere, Ram Dhun and devotional songs should be played throughout Ayodhya Dham,” he said.
He also directed that visitors staying in hotels, Dharamshala, and homestays must be charged strictly according to the prescribed rate list. Besides, police personnel deployed for security at Ayodhya and other religious sites should maintain a courteous and welcoming demeanour.
Marking the completion of eight years of the state government’s commitment to service, security, and good governance, as well as nearly 11 years of the central government, Yogi called for widespread public awareness programmes.
He also proposed screening a special short film to mark eight years of the state government, with a dedicated segment highlighting the successful organisation of Maha Kumbh. “An exhibition showcasing various welfare schemes and developmental projects undertaken by the central and state governments should also be organised. These exhibitions should facilitate on-the-spot registration of eligible beneficiaries,” he said.
He directed that each day of the three-day fair should feature theme-based seminars and dialogue sessions. “These should cover vital topics such as farmer prosperity, women empowerment, infrastructure development, youth and employment, handicrafts, ODOP (One District One Product), entrepreneurship and business growth, and social welfare initiatives under the theme ‘Antyodaya to Sarvodaya’. Eminent personalities from relevant fields should be invited as speakers to engage in meaningful discussions on these themes,” he said.
The CM emphasised that individuals who have made remarkable contributions in various fields should be recognised and felicitated. He suggested that two dedicated sessions could be organised each day for this purpose.
