40,000 to offer Eid namaz at Gandhi Maidan today

PATNA: Special arrangements have been made at Gandhi Maidan for Eid-ul-Fitr namaz at 8am on Monday. Divisional commissioner Anand Kishor visited the ground Sunday afternoon and inspected the preparations. “This year we have extended the area and nearly 40,000 people will be able to offer namaz at 8am on Monday. Chief minister Nitish Kumar visits us every year after the namaz at 8:30am. We have set up a tent on the west side of the ‘Eidgah’ at the maidan to welcome him,” said Eidain Committee chairperson Mahmood Alam.The committee has been organizing mass prayers for Muslims on Eid at Gandhi Maidan since 1925, said its member Dr A A Hai. Sources in divisional commissioner’s office said Patna Municipal Corporation (New Capital circle) has been asked to clean the area for people to offer namaz. Two tankers have been arranged to sprinkle water in settle dust in the area. Roadrollers will be used to level the ground wherever it’s required.All gates at Gandhi Maidan will have doorframe metal detectors. Gate number 1 will be for VIP entry. Vehicles will be allowed to enter from gate number 2 to 10 whereas people can enter from gate number 11 and 12. Four ambulances with doctors and emergency medicines will be ready at the four main gates of Gandhi Maidan. Arrangements for drinking water have also been made.“During the inspection, it was found that many CCTV cameras were not working and the agency maintaining them have been asked to make them functional before Monday morning,” a source said.