Excelsior Correspondent
ANANTNAG, Sept 17: To take the stock of ongoing arrangements for the month long holy Malmas festival to be held at Martand Tirarh Mattan in South Kashmir district of Anantnag beginning from tomorrow, District Development Commissioner, Anantnag , K K Sidha today visited the holy shrine and gave standing instructions to the concerned Government as well as private agencies to ensure all facilities to pilgrims and devotees visiting there.
DDC confirmed of having sanctioned about Rs four lakh for beautification of the Shrine premises and Rs 7 crore for development of concrete sheds at the back of holy Chaka Nadhi and construction of sheds at Cremation Ground, Mattan.
He also announced sanction of Rs 368.32 lakh project for road construction from Mattan town to the hill top of Mata Barg Shekha temple.
Management of Martand Tirath Trust led by Ashok Sidha its president, general secretary , T K Tickoo, vice president, B B Sadhu and Moti Lal Tickoo accompanied the DDC on the occasion and apprised him the arrangements which are in place for the devotees visiting the shrine during the Malmas month. They also complimented the UT administration and DDC for sanctioning the development project for the shrine and expressed the hope that the same would be completed on priority basis.
It may be recalled that the holy festival of Malmas attracted lakhs of devotees from different parts of country to perform religious rituals at the shrine in past but this time it is expected to be a low key affair due to COVID pandemic.
However, the DDC gave instructions to concerned departments that the yatris coming to holy shrine this year be provided all the facilities besides all the SOPs regarding COVID including social distancing be maintained.
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