Goa Conducts Extensive Mock Drill to Ensure Safety at Shree Devi Lairai Jatra
In a proactive move to avert tragedies, authorities in Goa executed a comprehensive mock drill at Shirgao on Sunday, the site of last year's stampede. This full-scale exercise was meticulously planned ahead of the Shree Devi Lairai Jatra, scheduled to commence on Tuesday. The drill, which spanned from 9 pm on Saturday to approximately 3 am on Sunday, involved the simulation of emergency scenarios to test and refine response protocols.
Massive Participation and Simulated Rescue Operation
Approximately 2,000 personnel, including police officers, traffic police, fire force members, health officials, volunteers, and revenue staff, converged at Shirgao to participate in the mock drills. During the exercise, a person portraying a 'dhond'—a special devotee who observes strict fasting and abstinence before walking over the 'homkund' or ritual coal embers—accidentally fell a few meters into the homkund while en route. This incident triggered a swift rescue operation, successfully extracting the individual, thereby testing the emergency response capabilities in a controlled environment.
High-Level Oversight and Strategic Briefings
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was present at Shirgao to personally review the preparations. He received detailed briefings from key officials, including North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav, North Goa SP Harish Madkaikar, and Director of Fire Services Nitin Raikar, regarding the arrangements. Sawant expressed satisfaction with the successful execution of the mock drills and inspected the control room established at the homkund. This control room is designed to monitor the entire movement of crowds and dhonds during the actual event, ensuring real-time oversight.
Observations and Enhanced Safety Measures
Following the drill, Collector Ankit Yadav highlighted several observations related to signages and obstacles. He assured that these issues would be addressed and rectified before Monday to streamline crowd management. The administration has strategically divided the area into six sectors for enhanced monitoring. Additionally, arrangements for public announcements have been implemented to provide clear directions, facilitating smooth movement without hassles. Two separate queues have been set up at the temple—one for the general public and another for dhonds—to ensure orderly entry for blessings.
Anticipated Crowds and Adjusted Fair Arrangements
The village anticipates an influx of around 2 lakh visitors on the first day of the jatra, with peak crowds expected during the night-time homkund ritual. A total of 40,000 dhonds, dedicated devotees of the goddess, are projected to attend the inaugural day of the five-day festival. In a shift from previous years, the number of stalls at the jatra fair has been significantly reduced. While over 400 stalls were permitted last year, only 34 stalls—primarily selling lime juice and water to dhonds—have been authorized this year, reflecting a focus on safety and minimalism.
This mock drill underscores Goa's commitment to preventing stampedes and ensuring a secure environment for devotees during the upcoming Shree Devi Lairai Jatra, learning from past incidents to implement robust safety protocols.
