Safety measures in place for Shirgao jatra: Govt to HC

Panaji: State govt has told the Bombay high court that adequate safety measures are in place for the Lairai Devi jatra at Shirgao to avoid any untoward incident. Last year, lives were lost in the stampede.

Advocate general Devidas Pangam told the court that all precautions have been taken. He said a high-level meeting was held to discuss management of the large crowd and precautionary measures to be taken. “The traffic will be properly regulated. Shops will not be permitted to be erected close to the road. Proper police personnel will be available at the site. There will be complete monitoring of the jatra,” Pangam told reporters.

The high court, he said, was satisfied with the precautionary measures being taken and has disposed of a petition concerning the same. The court, however, has permitted the petitioner to approach the court again to raise any other safety issues if there’s any requirement.

The jatra is scheduled to be held on April 21. Pangam told the court at an earlier hearing that the village road is very narrow where lakhs of dhonds visit.

TOI reported last month that one-way movement system, removal of encroachments and stalls from main corridors, installation of extensive CCTV camera surveillance and establishment of a joint command and control room for real-time supervision are among the measures to be taken. It has also been decided to regulate entry through staggered time slots supported by public address systems and strengthen police deployment at critical points and create designated holding areas.