Varanasi: With Kashi ghats set to host a spectacular aerial display to mark the Indian Air Force’s 94th anniversary, authorities are leaving no stone unturned to ensure safety and cleanliness. In a key preventive measure against bird-hit incidents, the sale and cutting of meat and fish will remain prohibited within a 20-30 km radius of the ghat from Oct 19 until the conclusion of the event.The UP govt has declared the event a “State Event”. The main air show will be held on Oct 22, 23 and 25, while Oct 26 has been kept as a standby day.“The municipal corporation is making elaborate arrangements for cleanliness around Namo Ghat and nearby areas and ghats, barricading in the Ganga, closing meat shops to prevent bird hits, and mobile toilets for devotees,” Municipal commissioner Himanshu Nagpal said.He said extensive security and administrative arrangements were being made to ensure that the event is conducted safely, smoothly and in a bird-hit-free environment.He said the municipal corporation will run a special cleanliness drive from Oct 20 to 26 to control bird activity in the city and around the venue.In view of the expected presence of lakhs of people at the Ganga ghats and to ensure water safety, deep-water zones in the Ganga are being identified. Effective barricading and warning boards are being installed in these areas. Barriers will also be placed on sensitive routes leading from the ghats towards the river to prevent spectators from entering deep water in an uncontrolled manner.Adequate numbers of mobile toilets are also being installed at Namo Ghat and nearby areas for the convenience of devotees and spectators, with regular cleaning arrangements in place.
