MAPUSA: The State government has decided to celebrate the famous Lord Bodgeshwar Zatra while following the Ministry of Home Affairs’ COVID-19 guidelines with respect to social distancing and also continuing their plastic free concept, on January 27.
On Friday, a meeting was convened by Bardez Deputy Collector Kapil Phadte, to discuss various arrangements for Mapusa’s iconic temple festival.
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The meet was attended by members of Shri Bodgeshwar Devasthan Committee, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Gajanan Prabhudesai, Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Kabir Shirgaonkar, Mapusa Police Inspector (PI) Tushar Lotlikar, Mapusa Fire Station-In Charge Bosco Ferrao, Traffic Cell staff and authorities concerned.
Shri Bodgeshwar Devasthan Committee President Anand Bhaidkar reiterated that the festival will be celebrated while following all the Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines.
“This year Zatra will be celebrated while following all the rituals and traditions. Security personnel will be appointed at entry points, who will check the temperature of devotees with thermal guns. We will also provide face masks free of cost.”
“We had asked permission for 300 shops (stalls) but we have received permission for only 75 shops this year. Between each stall, there will be a gap of six and 10 meters distance from the adjoining stall. First preference will be given to people from Mapusa and traditional vendors. Few vendors selling flowers and bananas will also be allowed,” Bhaidkar added.
PI Tushar Lotlikar suggested that the committee install CCTV surveillance in view of the security and to avoid any untoward incidents.
The traffic official was instructed to make arrangements for orderly parking. It was also suggested not to allow hawkers and street vendors to sit by the roadside since it affects the free movement of vehicles.
Mapusa Fire Brigade In-Charge Bosco Ferrao said that one fire tender will be stationed at the Zatra spot.
Ferrao also suggested erecting stalls for food vendors at one dedicated corner and also asked for fire extinguishers to be kept near the stalls.
