Gaya: State urban development, housing and information technology minister Nitish Mishra on Saturday reviewed preparations for the upcoming Pitripaksh Mela and directed officials to ensure seamless coordination among departments for crowd management, security and pilgrim amenities during the 16-day event beginning Sept 25.Chairing a review meeting attended by district magistrate Shashank Shubhankar, SSP Sushil Kumar and other senior officials, Mishra stressed the need for foolproof arrangements as lakhs of devotees are expected to visit Gaya during the annual religious fair.Shubhankar said 21 special cells have been formed to oversee accommodation, sanitation, water supply, roads, health services, electricity, traffic, law and order and disaster management. Arrangements have been made to accommodate 75,348 pilgrims through a tent city, community buildings, police facilities, hotels, rest houses and dharamshalas.To maintain cleanliness, the mela area has been divided into five sanitation zones and 54 sectors, with 39,500 sanitation workers to be deployed in three shifts. A trash-cleaning boat, drones and robotic cleaning machines will also be used during the fair.The administration has taken steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply, with Vishnupad Temple connected to two 33KV power sources. Around 24,000 streetlights, including 4,000 new installations, are being maintained or installed across the mela area.Health and transport facilities have also been strengthened, with plans for 70 health camps, 50 ring buses, 150 free e-rickshaws and 18 designated parking sites.For crowd management, AI technology will monitor 543 CCTV cameras and issue real-time alerts. An additional 335 CCTV cameras will be installed at 67 locations. Children visiting the mela will be provided QR-code wristbands, while pilgrims can access AI-based multilingual assistance through the ‘Bhashini’ app.Security arrangements have been expanded, with the mela area divided into 44 security zones and 510 sectors. Magistrates and police personnel will be deployed in three shifts, supported by a temporary police station, 87 police camps and help desks, and round-the-clock patrolling. A 24×7 helpline and control rooms at Sanwas Sadan Samiti, Akshayvat and Devghat will assist pilgrims.Mishra said elaborate preparations had been made with special emphasis on crowd management and urged residents to cooperate with the administration and extend hospitality to pilgrims arriving from across the country and abroad.Meanwhile, during an inspection of Gaya railway station on Friday, the district magistrate directed officials to identify crowd-pressure points and strengthen security arrangements. Measures such as barricading, additional directional signage and regulation of entry and exit points will be implemented to prevent overcrowding and ensure smooth movement of passengers.
