(VO):Government decided to open religious places for worshipers from August 16, How is the corporation prepared for the challenge in view of the Pandemic?
Commissioner :Apart from mass awareness campaign launched through multiple means like posters, news agencies and social media aimed at the vide circulation of Do’s and Don’ts during the pandemic, the corporation carried out the mass sanitization of major mosques and shrines across Srinagar before two days of their reopening. I personally ensured that all major places of worship are properly fumigated and sanitized in accordance to the guidelines issued by health experts.
(VO):Muharram one of the holiest and the first month of Al-Hijri Calendar is only a few days to set in, How are you prepared to facilitate the masses, particularly the mourners on the ground?
(Commissioner): Doing away with the tradition of supplying and repairing of lamps and casual mending of streets during these days, we have widened the horizon of works. I along with the team of officials visit all the major Shia dominated areas, undertaking on the spot mitigation of grievances related to lights, sanitation, streets and drains. Small works like installation and repair of street lights, dusting of streets, filling of potholes, trashing of drains wherever open will be carried out within few days of the month, However all the major works related to the Muharram in shia dominated areas will be undertaken very shortly after following the due procedure. The funds for the purpose stand already released.
(VO):Muharram as we all know attracts large gatherings to its mourning ceremonies and rituals. What measures the corporation will undertake to save the mourners from contacting contagion while observing Muharram?
(Commissioner): We have decided to carry out regular sanitization of Imambadas and community spaces for the first 14 days of the month, during which the most of rituals and ceremonies are held. One day prior to Muharram , these places will be fumigated with WHO recommended chemical Quaternary Ammonium Compound(QAC). Though the chemical has an efficacy of 21 days, Corporation will use Sodium hypochlorite to fumigate these places regularly thereafter for the rest of days. In addition to proper sanitization, with the help of local committees, our endeavor will be to aware people about the SOP’S and health advisories related to Pandemic and motivate the mourners to follow the same.
(VO):SMC won all the praises for being among firsts in the country to install fumigation tunnels in Srinagar. Is the corporation mulling to install the same at major religious places specifically during the Muharram?
(Commissioner):Basically we developed all those tunnels at our workshop with our limited resources. Since the number of Imambadas and other related places are very large in comparison to our capacity, it is not possible to install fumigation tunnels at all religious places. However, keeping also in mind the other technicalities related with the issue, corporation will actively consider the suggestion.
(VO):There is a growing demand for a dedicated Muharram helpline for the people. Is the corporation going to open the same at least for first 10 days of Muharram?
(Commissioner):We have already an active grievance cell, facebook page and twitter handle for the purpose. For these 10 days we are going to dedicate the phone line for Muharram related issues. Any person having a genuine related issue can dial on this helpline at: 0194-2474499.
(VO):A large number of volunteers related with Muharram are working on the ground. Has the corporation convened any meetings with them to facilitate the people better?
(Commissioner): Unfortunately, despite making fervent appeals through our social media handle and other means , nobody came to meet us to discuss the Muharram related issues on collective basis. Now I have started to meet the people at their doorsteps in their localities and neighbourhoods in person. People should come to to me with related genuine issues, I assure them whatever possible , that will be done in the larger interest of masses.
(VO): Last but not the least, what will be your message to people particularly to mourners keeping in view the health emergency imposed by Pandemic Covid19? (Commissioner): People should stay very cautious. This is not an ordinary disease or disorder of cold or cough. Pandemic is very real. People should take it very seriously. Mourners in particular during these events should adhere to SOP’s and government guidelines as suggested by the prominent religious jurists of the world to save themselves as well others from the contagion.