Dumka: Tourism minister Sudivya Kumar on Sunday chaired a review meeting of the upcoming Shravani Mela preparations in Deoghar, directing officials to ensure improved facilities, safety, and smooth stay for pilgrims.The meeting, held at the circuit house auditorium, was attended by tourism secretary Mukesh Kumar, Santhal Pargana commissioner Sanjay Kumar, and DCs and SPs of Deoghar and Dumka.The minister said the annual fair is set to begin on July 31. He stressed that arrangements should surpass last year’s standards so that devotees can perform “jal arpan” conveniently and safely.Kumar said that the design for a proposed foot overbridge near Khijuriya has been finalised, while the DPR is under preparation. He directed deputy commissioner Shashi Prakash Singh to review and suggest any necessary modifications, adding that the bridge is expected to be ready by next year’s fair.In a key decision, the minister announced that VIP and VVIP darshan would remain completely suspended during the month-long Shravani Mela to avoid inconvenience to general devotees.He also instructed officials to ensure completion of the Deoghar–Basukinath four-lane road before the fair. Deoghar is home to Baidyanath Dham temple, one of the dwadash jyotirlingas, while Basukinath is another famous Shiva temple in Dumka district.Emphasis was laid on coordinated efforts to strengthen law and order, crowd management, traffic regulation, designated parking zones, and streamlined route planning.Highlighting safety concerns, Kumar warned against the use of overloaded and illegally modified tractor-trolleys, especially double-decker arrangements, calling them a major cause of accidents.
