VASCO
Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar and officials on Monday reviewed arrangements in Vasco for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
The officials attending the meeting included the Dy Collector, Mamlatdar, Mormugao DySP, Vasco PI, Traffic PI, PWD, Fire Department and officers from other departments.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Salkar appealed to Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandals to extend full cooperation with the authorities.
“We want the Ganesh Chaturthi festival to be celebrated smoothly without any untoward incidents. It is a very significant festival for Hindus and we must maintain its purity and religious aspects,” he said.
Highlighting concerns raised by Hindu organisations, Salkar said, “Sometimes the decibel level of sound in Sarvajanik Pandals is very high and vulgar songs are played, which spoils the essence of the festival and hurts religious sentiments. We want the sound to be under control so that people, especially senior citizens, are not affected.”
Salkar further added, “There are instances where people drink alcohol and dance during the Visarjan, which cannot be allowed. Some are even gambling inside the pandals and we have directed the police to act on such instances.”
On safety measures, the MLA said, “We have asked the Fire Department to station one fire brigade each at Baina, Vasco and other Visarjan sites, while Drishti lifeguards will also be deployed at all immersion points.”
Referring to security, Salkar stated, “We have around 50 Sarvajanik Ganesh Pandals in and around Vasco. The police have already asked for additional force and chalked out proper plans to take strict action wherever required. We have already seen intensified patrolling and urge everyone not to take the law into their own hands.”
