70th Dhammachakra Pravartan Day: 24 Shelters Prepared in Nagpur
As the 70th Dhammachakra Pravartan Day approaches, Nagpur's district administration has set up extensive arrangements for the influx of devotees.
25,000 identification wristbands for children to prevent them from getting lost.
24 temporary shelters equipped with essential amenities and a ₹15 crore insurance cover.
Over 1,235 toilets and enhanced medical facilities to manage the expected crowd.
In anticipation of the 70th Dhammachakra Pravartan Day celebrations on Tuesday, Nagpur is preparing to welcome lakhs of Buddhist devotees at Deekshabhoomi. The district administration has implemented a series of measures to ensure a safe and organized experience for attendees, including the provision of 25,000 identification wristbands for children, a ₹15 crore insurance policy for temporary shelters, and dedicated accommodation facilities at 24 locations.
As devotees from various parts of the country arrive in Nagpur, Collector Kumar Ashirwad has been overseeing the final preparations. He has instructed nodal officers to be present at their designated locations to facilitate smooth operations during the event. A significant initiative this year is the introduction of identification wristbands for children, which will help reunite them with their families in case they become separated in the large crowds. The wristbands will feature the names and contact numbers of parents and will be distributed by students from social welfare department hostels at key entry points to Deekshabhoomi.
In a first for the event, the administration has arranged for accommodation at 24 different locations, capable of housing thousands of outstation devotees. These shelters will provide essential services such as bedding, blankets, drinking water, electricity, sanitation facilities, and grievance redressal. The shelters are also covered by a ₹15 crore insurance policy, which includes ₹10 crore for general incidents and ₹5 crore specifically for fire-related emergencies.
To manage the expected influx of visitors, over 1,235 toilets have been set up across various locations, including the ITI premises and surrounding areas. The administration has prioritized a continuous supply of drinking water and regular cleaning of sanitation facilities. Additional measures include crowd management strategies, traffic arrangements, CCTV surveillance, medical support, and control rooms. Emergency response teams from NDRF and SDRF have been incorporated into the planning, and firefighting measures have been established at the shelters.
During a review meeting at Niyojan Bhavan, attended by key officials, Ashirwad emphasized the importance of ensuring uninterrupted water supply, regular sanitation, and the timely completion of all preparations. With these extensive arrangements, Nagpur is gearing up for one of its largest annual religious gatherings, aiming to provide a welcoming and safe environment for all attendees.
