Port town all set to celebrate Saptah
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, AUG 14
The Port town is all set to celebrate the annual festival of Shree Damodar Bhajani Saptah in the port town on Sunday.
The famous festival, that draws lakhs of people from various parts of the State, is being celebrated for the 112th year.
While the religious ceremony will take place for one-and-half days, the fair along the parallel stretch of Duttatreya Deshpande road and Swatantrapath road will go on for about 10 days.
“The committee is all set to organise the festival and all arrangements have been completed,” said Damodar Bhajani Saptah Utsav Committee Chairman Pratap Rane.
Meanwhile, the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC), Goa Police and other agencies have also made various arrangements for the smooth organisation of the festival in the town.
“The MMC will deploy nearly 60 per cent of its labour force to maintain the cleanliness during festival and all shopkeepers have been asked to maintain cleanliness in their area,” MMC chairperson Shekhar Khadapkar said.
He urged devotees and the general public to cooperate with security arrangements for the peaceful celebration and also requested them to maintain the cleanliness in the city.
“Arrangements for toilets and drinking water at different strategic points have been set up and people should utilize these facilities,” added Khadapkar.
Vasco Police is also fully geared up for the smooth celebration of the festival.
Speaking to Herald, Vasco PI Braz Menezes while speaking Herald said various security aspects have been taken into consideration for the security of devotees and people visiting the town during the festival.
“Similar to last year, eight closed-circuit cameras, door frame metal detectors, a dog squad, bomb disposal squad and two police out post have been set up at the site,” said PI Menezes.
“Besides, the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) platoon of male and female personnel, besides police teams from the Mormugao Sub-Division and South Goa district will provide security during the festival,” said Menezes.
He requested people to be careful regarding any suspicious person or unattended baggage.
“If any suspicious person or unattended baggage is noticed, people should immediately alert the police,” said PI Menezes.
“We urge devotees and people who visit the festival to cooperate with security agencies for the peaceful celebration of Saptah,” added Menezes.
