* Stresses for early notification of dates to avoid last minutes hassle
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 13: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K Pole today chaired a meeting of officers to take review of preparations and arrangements to be put in place for the smooth conduct of Khelo- India National Winter Games to be held at Gulmarg from February, 26.
The meeting, among other was attended by Director Tourism, Director Handloom and Handicrafts, RTO, Secretary J&K Sports Council, Director Health Services, CE KPDCL, CE MED, MD JKTDC, SSPs Security, Traffic City and Rural, JD Information, JD H&P, GM SRTC/ BSNL, Divisional Sports Officer Sports Council, DD SMG, Commandant SDRF, Principal HAWS/ IIS&M, President/ GS Winter Games Association and other concerned.
Secretary, Tourism, YSS, Sarmad Hafeez, DIG Police Baramulla, DC Baramulla, CEO GDA, MD J&KCCC, DG YSS and other concerned also attended the meeting through videoconferencing.
At the outset, Secretary JK Sports Council stated that as many as 1200 participants including athletes and guests shall take part in the winter games event. She deliberated on the number of Ice Ski, skating events, cultural programmes and other related events to be conducted during the weeklong Khelo- India National Games through power point presentation.
The Div Com stressed for early notification of dates of Winter Games to avoid last minutes hassles.
He also stressed on making fool-proof arrangements and all facilities in advance to ensure the event is conducted successfully without any inconveniences to the participants and guests.
The concerned officers and officials were sensitized about their role and responsibilities and instructed to ensure all required facilities including comfortable accommodation and other logistic support is made available to the participants.
The Div Com also reviewed the preparation including booking of hotels and transport for athletes, officials, VIPs and VVIPs, fabrication of competition kit/ tools required for setting up of course, hiring of ski equipments and services of technical staff, printing and stationary for documentation of events, Gondola and lift facilities, hoardings, cleanliness and fumigation, fire tenders, deployment of liaison officer and illumination of Gulmarg zone during the event.
He directed the concerned to deploy a team of doctors, ambulances besides medical aid including RAT, anti- doping testing facilities at required points for the participants.
He laid focus on providing requisite security arrangements for law and order maintenance at venue and naka points and security facilities at other required places to ensure hassle-free movement of participants.
Instruction for deployment of security including a team of SDRF shall remain deployed for relief and rescue operations.
Emphasizing on providing uninterrupted water and electricity supply, the Div Com instructed on arranging additional DG sets for backup plan.
He called for proper maintenance of slopes, ice skating ring and deployment of snow beaters/ groomers for higher slopes for conduct of ice sports events.
For hassle-free passage of participants, the Div Com instructed for establishing Joint Control Rooms at TRC, Tangmarg and Gulmarg.
JKAAC&L was instructed to organise a number of cultural events in different languages throughout the weeklong event.
He further directed concerned to set up various counters for display of ethnic food and sale counters for local crafts at Gulmarg.