Patna: (ABN) District Magistrate Dr. Thyagarajan SM held a meeting with the management committee of Takht Sri Harimandar Ji, Patna Sahib today to review the preparations for the 359th sacred Prakashotsav of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. The meeting was held at the meeting hall of Takht Sri Harimandar Sahib Patna City. Members discussed issues of accommodation, transportation, law and order, and other problems, and officials were directed to establish contact with the management committee of Takht Sri Harimandar, Patna Sahib, ensure timely administrative arrangements, and ensure all facilities for devotees, pilgrims, and tourists.

The District Magistrate stated that the 359th Prakashotsav will be held from December 25 to 27, 2025. A large number of devotees, pilgrims, and tourists from India and abroad will participate in it. The event will be organized in a grand manner. He said that the district administration is committed to facilitating devotees and tourists. The best arrangements will be made for accommodation, transportation, traffic management, maintaining law and order, and crowd management on the occasion of Prakashotsav.

The District Magistrate said that preparations for Prakashotsav are being made at a rapid pace, including medical facilities, drinking water, sanitation, electricity, fire extinguishing, and disaster management. Crowd control and "May I Help You" counters will operate at Patna Junction, Patna Sahib, and other railway stations. Help desks will be set up at various locations along the route, including pandals, Kangan Ghat, gurdwaras, and Patna City area. Proper arrangements will also be made for the accommodation of devotees.

The central gurdwara, Takht Sri Harimandar Sahib, Patna Sahib Bhawan, Prakash Panj, Gurdwara Gobind Ghat, Bal Leela Gurdwara, Tourist Facilitation Center, and Shri OP Shah Community Hall will be provided with cleaning and regular fogging. A control room will be active to ensure the proper operation and monitoring of the sanitation system. Temporary toilets will be constructed at all identified accommodations, and the maintenance of existing permanent toilets will be ensured. A sufficient quantity of water tankers and water ATMs will be available. Proper lighting arrangements will be made. Temporary electricity connections will be obtained as needed. All streetlights, high-mast lights, and main road lights will be functional, and parking spaces will be properly lit.

The District Magistrate said that the Patna Municipal Corporation will ensure the best management of waste during Prakashotsav this year. The entire event will be a zero-waste event. The District Magistrate said that high-quality buses will run regularly between Patna and Rajgir for the convenience of tourists and pilgrims. Devotees and pilgrims can visit shrines between Patna and Rajgir and between Rajgir and Patna at their convenience. The District Transport Officer, Patna, has been directed to maintain regular contact with the Transport Department in this regard. Rajgir is a famous pilgrimage site for Sikhs. The Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj is celebrated here. There is also a famous gurdwara.

The District Magistrate stated that a Ring Service bus will be operated for the convenience of devotees and pilgrims. The District Transport Officer will coordinate with BSRTC in this regard. Additionally, a significant number of e-rickshaws will be operated in designated areas during the event to facilitate local transportation for devotees. The District Magistrate said that the roads in Patna City and surrounding areas will be repaired as needed. He said that a special campaign will be launched to remove encroachments from roads, streets, and other places, including Patna Sahib Railway Station, Gurdwara, Kangan Ghat, and its viewpoint, Gobind Ghat, Bal Leela Gurdwara, and the route from Patna Devi.

The Additional District Magistrate (Urban Administration) has been directed to launch a campaign to remove encroachments in the area. He said that magistrates, police officers, municipal corporation officers, and others will be deployed for this purpose. The District Magistrate said that the Superintendent of Police (Traffic) will manage traffic according to the traffic plan. Traffic checkpoints will be set up, and proper parking facilities will be provided. Alternative arrangements will also be made for emergency response. The Civil Surgeon will set up a camp hospital with necessary facilities at the accommodation sites. A significant number of medical camps will be set up at identified locations.

All medical camps will have 24/7 medical teams and necessary medicines and equipment. Special medical preparations and additional emergency rooms will be set up at Guru Gobind Singh Hospital, IGIMS, and other government and private hospitals. The Civil Surgeon, Patna, will ensure this. The District Fire Officer will arrange for fire tenders and firefighting equipment at all identified locations, including the central gurdwara, Takht Sri Harimandar Sahib, Patna Sahib Bhawan, Prakash Panj, Gurdwara Gobind Ghat, Bal Leela Gurdwara, Tourist Facilitation Center, and Shri OP Shah Community Hall.

The District Magistrate said that the Disaster Management Branch will deploy an adequate number of NDRF and SDRF teams. A proper disaster management system will be operated at the ghats. Strict action will be taken against the illegal operation of private boats on the Ganges River. Civil Defense volunteers have also been deployed.