The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will ask the district collector to declare a dry day, banning sale or service of liquor in the city, on February 19 on the occasion of Shiv Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Maratha king Shivaji, municipal naval commissioner Kishore Ram said on Tuesday.
“We will have written communication with the Pune collector to declare a Dry Day on February 19 on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the Maratha king,” Ram said in response to the demands of social organisations.
On the occasion, various social organizations take out processions to promote the values of the Maratha king.
The district administration, state government and the Union government have the power to declare a Dry Day. It is declared during national holidays and religious holidays to respect cultural sensitivities, as well as during elections to maintain public order.
Ram asked representatives of social organizations in the city to submit written suggestions regarding the celebration of Shivaji’s birth anniversary. Social organizations have urged the PMC to provide a dedicated road for Shiv Jayanti processions and make necessary arrangements for the convenience of residents.
“The PMC will ask the Pune traffic police to provide an alternative route for traffic movement to avoid chaos on the procession route. Also, the civic body will provide traffic guards along the procession route,” the municipal commissioner said.
This time, the PMC will also take up cleanliness and beautification initiatives across the city, Ram said. “Aerial wires that may obstruct the procession will be removed. Also, a team of civic officials will visit various places in the city to resolve the issues,” he said.
All Shivaji statues in public places will be cleaned before the festival and will be decorated with garlands on February 19, Ram added.
The municipal commissioner said the PMC would take over the Lal Mahal, where the Maratha king spent his childhood and it was spruced up, cleaned and decorated. “The Lal Mahal will be kept open for more than daily hours so that citizens can visit it as per their convenience,” he said, adding that schools run by the civic body will hold painting, elocution, drama and costume competitions for students on the theme of Shivaji’s life.
Social organizations have also demanded that the PMC provide drinking water, mobile toilets and mobile clinics on the procession route on February 19. They also want a single-window system to seek permission to hold Shiv Jayanti processions.
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