Jitendra Yadav reviews preparations for Kwar Navratri fair at Maa Bamleshwari Temple; focus on safety, facilities, traffic, health, sanitation and law and order
Published on: September 28, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
Collector Jitendra Yadav directed officials to ensure comprehensive arrangements for the safety, convenience and smooth movement of devotees during the Kwar Navratri fair to be organised at Maa Bamleshwari Temple in Dongargarh from October 11, 2026.
A meeting to review preparations for the fair was held at the Collectorate conference hall under the chairmanship of the Collector. Detailed discussions were held on facilities for devotees and pilgrims travelling on foot, security, traffic management, health services, drinking water, sanitation, parking and law and order.
Dongargarh MLA Harshita Baghel and Superintendent of Police Ankita Sharma were also present at the meeting.
Departments Asked to Complete Preparations Within Deadline
The Collector said a large number of devotees visit Dongargarh during Navratri and providing them with a safe, convenient and well-organised environment is a collective responsibility of the administration, public representatives, temple trust and social organisations.
He directed all departments to complete preparations within the stipulated timeframe through close coordination and asked officials to personally inspect arrangements at the site.
Special arrangements were directed for managing the movement of pilgrims travelling on foot from Ramdarbar Chowk towards Dongargarh. Strong barricading was ordered to maintain adequate separation between pedestrians and vehicles.
The Forest Department was asked to assess the availability of bamboo material and coordinate with the Police Department for temporary barricading wherever required.
The route and divider constructed for pilgrims from Motipur to Achholi-Dongargarh are to undergo necessary repairs within 7 to 10 days. Routes used by devotees arriving from Khairagarh and Maharashtra are also to be inspected, with necessary repairs and safety arrangements completed.
Service Pandals to Provide Essential Facilities
The Collector directed that service pandals for devotees be established systematically at designated locations along the pilgrimage routes in coordination with voluntary organisations.
Each service pandal should have adequate arrangements for cleanliness, drinking water, first aid, lighting and other essential facilities.
Unauthorised posters and banners were prohibited at the pandals. Contact numbers of the administration and police control rooms were directed to be displayed prominently.
Adequate dustbins are to be installed around the pandals, with regular cleaning arrangements ensured.
Food and Drinking Water Quality to Be Monitored
The Food and Health Departments were directed to closely monitor the hygiene and quality of food served to devotees.
Regular quality testing of drinking water was also ordered.
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Adequate lighting is to be ensured throughout the pilgrimage route and at service pandals. Officials were also instructed to inspect electrical safety and complete necessary repairs on time.
Ambulances and Medical Teams to Be Deployed
The Collector directed that health services be strengthened by deploying ambulances at appropriate intervals between service pandals and ensuring first-aid facilities.
Adequate bandages and first-aid materials should be available to treat common problems faced by pilgrims, including blisters on the feet.
Health teams are to be available at key locations, along with emergency medical arrangements. The administration was also directed to seek necessary support from licensed hospitals.
Ropeway Safety Given Top Priority
The Collector placed ropeway safety at the highest priority and directed that a responsible employee be present with each ropeway trolley.
The concerned departments were instructed to be provided with the ropeway’s fitness certificate and to submit daily maintenance and inspection reports.
The Collector emphasised that there should be no compromise whatsoever with the safety of devotees.
All concerned officials were also directed to personally inspect the entire pilgrimage route, parking areas, service pandals, drinking water facilities, lighting arrangements, health services and other important locations.
He instructed departments to complete all necessary repairs and arrangements before the beginning of Navratri and ensure preparations are carried out according to the action plan through effective inter-departmental coordination.
SP Ankita Sharma Reviews Parking and Fire Safety
Superintendent of Police Ankita Sharma said that parking sites which had functioned effectively last year should, as far as possible, be operated along similar arrangements.
She directed officials to inspect the temple area and other potential parking locations and ensure adequate signboards, information boards and deployment of traffic personnel.
Fire extinguishers were made mandatory at parking areas. Fire extinguishers kept at shops were also directed to be refilled and maintained in working condition.
Departments Present Their Preparations
Officials from the concerned departments briefed the meeting about preparations being undertaken by their respective departments.
The meeting also discussed the necessary action plan for conducting the fair in a safe, organised manner while ensuring facilities for devotees.
Those present included Additional Collector C.L. Markandey, Additional Collector Prem Prakash Sharma, Dongargarh SDM Akshay Doshi, Maa Bamleshwari Trust Committee President Manoj Agrawal, office-bearers of the temple trust, representatives of social and voluntary organisations, and officials from the concerned departments.
