Chief Minister Harish Rawat today took stock of Ardhakumbh preparations in Haridwar and asked officials to put all arrangements in place before the first bath of the great religious congregation slated for January 14 on the occasion of Makara Sankranti.
Expressing satisfaction at the pace of preparations in view of the proximity of the event starting in January, Rawat said completing construction of seven new bridges without any financial help from the Centre was no mean achievement.
Announcing that the state government is pumping in funds worth Rs 1,000 crore out of its own resources into preparations for the event, Rawat asked officials to ensure that all infrastructural works of permanent and temporary nature related to the event are complete by December 31 so that devotees who converge on the banks of the Ganga on January 14 for the first ritual bath of the Ardhakumabh do not face any problems.
Rawat who visited the Ganga ghats in Haridwar including Har ki Pauri to assess the preparations for the forthcoming event also asked officials see to it that the construction of Laltarau bridge, Kashyap ghat and Malviya ghat and the expansion of Kangda ghat are complete by December end.
He asked police officials to focus on proper construction of watch towers in the mela area saying it was vital for the safety of devotees.
