Patna: The city is all set to witness the art and crafts, culture and cuisine of various states for a fortnight, with ‘Bihar Saras Mela' all set to begin at the sprawling Gandhi Maidan from Thursday.
A day ahead of the inauguration, Patna district magistrate (DM) Chandrashekhar Singh on Wednesday reviewed the ongoing preparations for the fair, being organised by Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society Jeevika from December 12 to 26.
During a meeting at the newly inaugurated Collectorate building, special officer of Jeevika, Rajesh Kumar, said the Bihar Saras Mela, which will have around 560 stalls, will remain open for public from 10am to 8pm. Entry to the saras mela for pedestrians will be allowed from gate number 4 of Gandhi Maidan, while those arriving by vehicle can enter through gate 10.
The fair mainly aims at promoting rural entrepreneurship, with women artisans and entrepreneurs associated with self-help groups from almost all states participating.
Additionally, visitors can learn about various schemes at stalls set up by different departments, institutions and banks. The fair will feature a food court, fun zone, Aadhaar card creation counter, mobile ATM kiosk and cashless payment counter among other things. Cultural programmes will also be organised, with various activities throughout the day.
Singh said ensuring excellent crowd management, smooth traffic and robust law and order will be the top priorities for the district administration, and directed all personnel concerned to remain alert and vigilant.
Patna municipal commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar said the fair will be maintained as a zero-waste area, with all arrangements being made by the civic body.
The DM directed the executive officer of Patna Municipal Corporation to ensure regular cleaning of the entire premises. "Separate mobile and pink toilets for men and women, and drinking water facilities will be available at the fair. Two water tankers will be made available by public health engineering department, which will also install four water kiosks. Besides, high-mast lights will be operational on the premises. The district fire officer has been instructed to deploy two fire brigade teams. The civil surgeon will deploy medical teams in two shifts, each comprising a doctor, paramedical staff and an ambulance," Singh said, also instructing the additional district magistrate (law and order) to deploy an adequate number of magistrates and police officers at Gandhi Maidan and nearby areas. "Monitoring of the fair will be done through a control room," Singh said.
The additional magistrate, disaster management, will deploy a State Disaster Response Force team, while arrangements for an emergency evacuation plan has also been kept ready. Besides, a help desk will be operational at Gandhi Maidan.
Meanwhile, the traffic police have been asked to make proper arrangements for parking.
Patna: The city is all set to witness the art and crafts, culture and cuisine of various states for a fortnight, with ‘Bihar Saras Mela' all set to begin at the sprawling Gandhi Maidan from Thursday.
A day ahead of the inauguration, Patna district magistrate (DM) Chandrashekhar Singh on Wednesday reviewed the ongoing preparations for the fair, being organised by Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society Jeevika from December 12 to 26.
During a meeting at the newly inaugurated Collectorate building, special officer of Jeevika, Rajesh Kumar, said the Bihar Saras Mela, which will have around 560 stalls, will remain open for public from 10am to 8pm. Entry to the saras mela for pedestrians will be allowed from gate number 4 of Gandhi Maidan, while those arriving by vehicle can enter through gate 10.
The fair mainly aims at promoting rural entrepreneurship, with women artisans and entrepreneurs associated with self-help groups from almost all states participating.
Additionally, visitors can learn about various schemes at stalls set up by different departments, institutions and banks. The fair will feature a food court, fun zone, Aadhaar card creation counter, mobile ATM kiosk and cashless payment counter among other things. Cultural programmes will also be organised, with various activities throughout the day.
Singh said ensuring excellent crowd management, smooth traffic and robust law and order will be the top priorities for the district administration, and directed all personnel concerned to remain alert and vigilant.
Patna municipal commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar said the fair will be maintained as a zero-waste area, with all arrangements being made by the civic body.
The DM directed the executive officer of Patna Municipal Corporation to ensure regular cleaning of the entire premises. "Separate mobile and pink toilets for men and women, and drinking water facilities will be available at the fair. Two water tankers will be made available by public health engineering department, which will also install four water kiosks. Besides, high-mast lights will be operational on the premises. The district fire officer has been instructed to deploy two fire brigade teams. The civil surgeon will deploy medical teams in two shifts, each comprising a doctor, paramedical staff and an ambulance," Singh said, also instructing the additional district magistrate (law and order) to deploy an adequate number of magistrates and police officers at Gandhi Maidan and nearby areas. "Monitoring of the fair will be done through a control room," Singh said.
The additional magistrate, disaster management, will deploy a State Disaster Response Force team, while arrangements for an emergency evacuation plan has also been kept ready. Besides, a help desk will be operational at Gandhi Maidan.
Meanwhile, the traffic police have been asked to make proper arrangements for parking.