Varanasi: All meat and fish shops within the limits of the Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) will remain closed during Chaitra Navratri, commencing on Thursday. Reviewing VMC’s preparations on Monday, mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari asked officials to strictly enforce the order “in view of the sanctity of the Chaitra Navratri festival, faith of devotees, and the need to maintain a religious atmosphere in Kashi”. Tiwari directed officials to inspect roads to major temples and get them fixed before Navratri. He also ordered regular lime sprinkling on roadsides to keep them clean. The Jal Kal department was issued a warning that no sewer overflow and the drinking water supply must be uninterrupted. The street lighting department was tasked with keeping all roads to temples brightly lit, ensuring that there were no dark spots. Municipal commissioner Himanshu Nagpal emphasised that all officials should work in mutual coordination.
