Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said that elaborate arrangements will be made for the Attukal pongala festival which will be celebrated from February 25 to March 5. Steps have been taken to ensure coordination of various government departments and agencies.
He was speaking at a high-level meeting convened at the Secretariat Durbar Hall on Monday in the presence of Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar.
Priority would be given to improve the basic infrastructure. To ensure security, 3,500 police personnel, including woman personnel, would be deployed. CCTV cameras would be installed at major locations. The Revenue Department would open a control room and would provide water tankers for distribution of drinking water.
Also, 1,250 temporary taps would be installed.
The Mayor suggested a complete ban on plastic in the festival area.
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation would run the required number of extra services.
The government was considering the Kerala State Electricity Board’s suggestion to install 11 kV underground lines to improve transmission.
The sewerage system would be improved with the rebuilding of damaged manholes as well as cleaning up of clogged lines.
The food and water distributed by voluntary organisations would be tested by the Food Safety officials.
Pongala festival will be celebrated from February 25 to March 5.
