KDMC staff to keep strict vigil

KALYAN: To ensure that the Ganeshotsav festival is celebrated by following all the norms imposed in the wake of the Covid pandemic, a dedicated team of civic staff will keep a watch on the pandals in Kalyan-Dombivli.

“Our team will be visiting the pandals to ensure all the Covid norms are followed, especially during the prayer time when no crowding will be allowed. The pandals will have to do the thermal screening of the visitors as well as sanitise the premises regularly. Also, wearing a mask is mandatory,” said Vijay Suryavanshi, commissioner, KDMC.

Meanwhile, KDMC is not carrying out any random testing as the civic body chief claimed that it does not make any major difference. “We won’t be doing any random testing during the festival as random testing does not make any major difference in contact tracing. We had done random testing earlier, however it did not help find many cases,” said Suryavanshi.

This year, KDMC has decided to not collect any fees from the organisers for permissions considering the effect of the pandemic in people’s income. However, KDMC has made it mandatory for all the organisers to acquire all the permissions without fail.

There are 68 immersion spots in Kalyan-Dombivli. They will be monitored by 152 CCTV cameras during the festival.

“We will be taking help from the local police to ensure the Covid norms are followed. In an online meeting with the organisers, we have given all the necessary messages to them. Last year after the festival, there was a surge in Covid cases. This year, we need to be extra careful,” added Suryavanshi.

A Ganesh pandal coming up on F Cabin Road in Kalyan ahead of Ganeshotsav.