Chief Secy reviews prep for upcoming G-20 events in city

Varanasi: Ahead of the multiple G-20 events scheduled to begin in the city this month, Chief secretary Durga Shankar Mishra on Thursday reviewed the preparations and directed concerned departmental officials to complete the remaining works at the earliest.
At the review meeting, municipal commissioner Shipu Giri informed that six major routes have been proposed for the G-20 events. The main preparations are being executed by Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) and Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC).
As many as six committees have been formed for this purpose. The official said a selfie point is under construction and about 60 per cent works, including seasonal plantation, greenery and painting have been completed on the road leading to Babatpur to give a beautiful landscape view.
Informing about the preparations made by students, chief development officer Himanshu Nagpal said quiz and writing competitions on G-20 are underway in several schools whereas a G-20 cyclothon will be held on April 9. Besides, 20 schools have been prepared under ‘One School-One Country’ to showcase songs, music and various dance forms of the country. The G-20 quiz competition will also be organised for the general public on April 28, he added.
At the meeting, the chief secretary directed the electricity department to remove overhead wires and asked engineers of the Public Works Department to ensure that the quality of the roads to be constructed or repaired is of high standard.
VDA vice-chairman Abhishek Goyal informed about the work progress of facade lighting, theme-based painting on boundary walls on both sides of the buildings, flyovers and roads and repair work of roads near TFC.
The police department also gave details about the elaborate security arrangements made at identified places. The chief secretary asked police personnel to maintain a public-friendly behaviour. Emphasising that firefighting teams should be kept ready for any emergency, the chief secretary said all the preparations should be mock-drilled prior to the events. Divisional commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma and commissioner of police Mutha Ashok Jain attended the meeting, among others .Earlier in the day, the chief secretary inspected the routes and venues of the scheduled G20 events and offered prayers at Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple.