Chandigarh. Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains shared details of the extensive arrangements made regarding expansion of infrastructure and environment friendly initiatives to ensure uninterrupted religious visit including permanent tent city set up for the large number of Sangat on the occasion of Hola Mohalla celebrations at Sri Anandpur Sahib.
Addressing a press conference held at Punjab Bhawan here today, the Minister said that several important initiatives have been launched including India’s first permanent air-conditioned tent city and Green Hola Mohalla. He said that after the success of the temporary structure last year and the inspection by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, it was decided to set up a permanent tent city, which has now been established in the holy city. He said that this is a historic moment for religious tourism in Punjab. This fully air-conditioned permanent tent city will provide comfortable accommodation to the devotees throughout the year. This will facilitate the Sangat coming under the Chief Minister Teerth Yatra Scheme and will also boost the tourism potential of Sri Anandpur Sahib.
Reiterating the commitment of Bhagwant Singh Mann government towards environmental protection, Mr. Harjot Singh Bains said that Green Hola Mohalla will be celebrated this year. A complete ban on single-use plastics has been imposed and the Punjab Pollution Control Board will bear the cost of providing biodegradable alternatives at all langar sites.
He said that langars are being organized on a large scale to serve lakhs of devotees, hence environmental concerns have been given priority. Every plate, cup and utensils used will be made of biodegradable and non-plastic material.
Inviting Sikh Sangat from all over the world to visit Guru Ghar. Bains said that after the martyrdom festival of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji and the martyrdom meeting in Fatehgarh Sahib, now the state government is celebrating Hola Mohalla with new enthusiasm. He appealed to the Sangat to participate in this historical and spiritual celebration along with their families.
He said that the holy city Shri Anandpur has been decorated with attractive lights, which provides a spiritual atmosphere at night. The Park of Five Loves has been renovated. Bhai Jaita Ji Museum and other historical places are attracting devotees with their rich heritage exhibits.
To manage the Sangat coming on tractors and trolleys from every corner of Punjab, Rupnagar District Administration has set up 28 dedicated parking zones, two special trolley cities and trolley streets to manage the Sangat coming on tractor-trolleys. These facilities are equipped with bathrooms, CCTV surveillance and LED screens. Sangat coming from Majha and Doaba region will be accommodated in the trolley city near Charan Ganga and those coming from Malwa and Chandigarh will be accommodated in the facility center located in village Jhinjhadi.
Harjot Singh Bains further informed that 100 e-rickshaw shuttle services will be run to transport the Sangat to major religious places like Takht Shri Kesgarh Sahib and Kila Anandgarh Sahib, thereby ensuring uninterrupted movement.
He announced that a grand fireworks display will be organized at Virasat-e-Khalsa on the evening of March 2 and 3, which will add to the color of the celebrations.
Giving information about health and safety arrangements, he said that fully equipped ambulances have been deployed at Charan Ganga Stadium and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. Aam Aadmi Clinics are functioning at every parking and main site. To ensure security, a three-tier barricading system has been implemented on the main road and Nihang Singhs have been provided adequate space for traditional war display.
20 large LED screens have been installed at major venues for real-time information and live broadcast of key events. This will also keep the devotees present in the parking areas connected to all the programs including the heritage games and craft fair. The Minister also thanked the officials for months of preparation and hard work to ensure the success of this historic event.
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