SRINAGAR: The annual Urs of Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali (RA) is being celebrated on Wednesday, October 22nd of this month. The weeklong Urs celebrations will commence with Poshak bandi (laying of Chadder on Sanctum Sanctorum) on Monday, 20 October followed by Shab Khawani (night long prayers) on 21st October.
The minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Ab Rahim Rather on Sunday gave final touches to the arrangements made by the District Administration Budgam at a meeting of the district officers and engineers. Representatives of the Wakf board and local senior citizens also attended the meeting.
Rather enjoined upon the concerned officers and field agencies to ensure foolproof arrangements for hassle free Urs celebrations so that devotees do not face any in convenience to reach the shrine for paying their obeisance. He asked the police and traffic authorities to draw up a traffic plan to avoid traffic jams. He urged for making available adequate number of vehicles to carry devotees to and from Chrar-i-sharief. He called for setting up of a round the clock control room to oversee all arrangements during the Urs days. Mr Rather directed the health department to set up first aid camps and mobile health teams enroute Chrar-i-sharief adding that additional Ambulances should be kept available near shrine complex to meet any eventuality. He asked the officers of tourism and Municipal council to ensure street lighting, sanitation and cleanliness in and around the shrine complex adding that the PDD should ensure un interrupted electric supply in the town especially during the Urs days. The Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution department was directed to provide additional ration quota to the consumers of Chrari Sharief to meet their requirements in view of great rush of guest pilgrims.
Earlier, the District Development Commissioner, Budgam, Manzoor Ahmad Lone briefed the Minister about the arrangements proposed by the district administration for the Urs celebrations.