SRINAGAR: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Wednesday, directed the deployment of adequate health department manpower, ambulances, and blood storage units along the designated Muharram procession routes in Srinagar to ensure the facilitation of mourners. She also instructed the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, to establish a Control Room at the district level for coordinated response among allied departments.
The directions were issued during a visit to Imam Bara Zadibal and Imam Bara Hassanabad, where Minister Sakeena Itoo, accompanied by Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, IT and Transport, Satish Sharma, reviewed the arrangements being made ahead of the month of Muharram-ul-Haram.
The ministers interacted with Shia community leaders, local representatives, and citizens to assess preparedness and ensure respectful observance of Muharram. MLA Zadibal Tanvir Ali Sadiq, MLA Hazratbal Salman Ali Sagar, and officials from key departments including Health, SMC, FCS&CA, KPDCL, PHE, PWD, and Irrigation & Flood Control were also present.
The Minister stressed the need for uninterrupted power and water supply, effective sanitation measures, and smooth traffic regulation during the mourning days, particularly the 9th and 10th of Muharram. She directed the SMC Commissioner to immediately begin cleanliness drives and drain desilting operations in key areas including Zadibal, Alamgari Bazar, Madain Sahib, and Hawal.
Minister Satish Sharma, while addressing community members, assured that essential supplies would remain adequately stocked during the holy month. He also announced the installation of solar lights in several areas of Mir Behri Dal and other localities to aid night-time processions and gatherings.
Minister Sakeena Itoo also visited the shrine of Mir Shams-ud-Din Araqi (RA) and assured that school staff would be posted in underserved areas within the coming days. She reaffirmed that the administration, being a government chosen by the people, remains committed to addressing all genuine public concerns in consultation with respective departments.
The ministers concluded their visit with a public interaction tour through the interiors of Shia-populated areas, gathering feedback and issuing on-the-spot directions for comprehensive arrangements ahead of Muharram.
