Action will be taken if Durga Puja and Lakshmi Puja arches aren’t removed by today: BMC Mayor

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Bhubaneswar: Action will be taken if the Durga Puja and Lakshmi Puja arches are not removed by today, warned Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Sulochana Das while chairing a preparatory meeting in view of the possible threat associated with the impending cyclone Arnab.

As predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the impeding cyclone, though is expected to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh, is likely to trigger heavy rainfall and wind in Odisha. In view of this, Housing & Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra on October 24 had instructed urban local bodies – Notified Area Councils (NACs), municipalities and municipal corporations to remove the structures.

However, such decorations are yet to be removed in several localities under the jurisdiction of the BMC. Taking a note of this, the city civic body decided to take action against concerned persons if the large hoardings and the decorative arches and structures installed for the pujas are not removed by today, informed the BMC Mayor.

Sulochana Das also informed that arrangements are also being put in place to relocate people to shelters, if needed. Furthermore, preparations are underway to handle issues such as road blockages and potential disruptions to power supply, she added.

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Additionally, a 24-hour control room will be operational to ensure the smooth functioning of the drainage system and measures will be taken to prevent black marketing of essential commodities under the jurisdiction of BMC, she informed.

The BMC Mayor further said that schools and cyclone shelters across the three zones of the city civic body will be made ready by this evening.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation also had urged all citizens to follow official advisories and take necessary precautions and if need help or for civic assistance or to report cyclone-related hazards in Bhubaneswar, you can call 1929.

Also Read: Cyclone Arnab Impact: Orange Warning Issued For Intense Rainfall For 7 Districts In Odisha

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