Thiruvananthapuram: District collector Anu Kumari chaired a meeting of district-level officials at the collectorate to review preparations for the Navaratri procession. The meeting discussed arrangements to be made by various departments along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border and the procession route.The police were directed to arrange special security and traffic arrangements in the border areas and along the procession route. Steps will also be taken in coordination with the Tamil Nadu Police to ensure that travellers do not face unnecessary restrictions at the border.KSEB was directed to raise low-hanging cables and power lines along the route and complete repairs to streetlights on time. PWD was asked to expedite road repairs. Overhanging tree branches posing a safety risk will also be trimmed and vegetation along the route cleared.The Devaswom Board and Forest Department will expedite procedures to obtain the necessary inter-state no objection certificates (NOCs) for elephants being brought for the procession. Revenue officials were directed to make arrangements for food and drinking water for participants.Teams from the fire and rescue services and health department will accompany the procession to respond to emergencies. The food safety department will intensify inspections to ensure the quality of food supplied during the event.The meeting also decided to ensure strict enforcement of the plastic ban and improve waste management through coordination among the Suchitwa Mission, municipal corporation and panchayats.Sub-collector Swathi Mohan Rathore, devaswom board officials, representatives of the Velimala Kumaraswamy Temple, Aryasala and Chenthitta Devi Temple, and representatives of various organisations attended the meeting.
