Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The North Goa District Administration held a high-level coordination meeting to review and strengthen arrangements for the Annual Shri Devi Lairai Jatra at Shirgao, scheduled to be held on April 21, 2026.
The meeting was chaired by the Collector and District Magistrate, North Goa, and was attended by District Magistrate Ankit Yadav, IAS, Superintendent of Police Harish Madkaikar, Additional Collector Pravin Parab, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Shubham Naik, DySP Shridevi B. V., IPS, along with senior officers from the Police Department, District Administration, Health Services, Fire and Emergency Services, Public Works Department, Electricity Department, Panchayats, the Temple Managing Committee and other concerned departments.
Discussions focused on learning from past incidents and addressing site-specific risk factors, particularly crowd congestion along approach roads. Emphasis was laid on crowd management, public safety, infrastructure preparedness and seamless inter-departmental coordination.
Among the key decisions taken were the implementation of a one-way movement system, removal of encroachments and stalls from main corridors, installation of extensive CCTV surveillance, and the establishment of a Joint Command and Control Room for real-time monitoring and supervision.
It was also decided to regulate devotee entry through staggered time slots, supported by public address systems, strengthen police deployment at critical locations, and create designated holding areas. Adequate medical aid posts, clearly demarcated ambulance corridors and round-the-clock fire safety arrangements will be ensured during the Jatra.
The Temple Managing Committee was instructed to conduct systematic orientation and training of Dhond devotees and volunteers, with emphasis on discipline, queue management and adherence to safety protocols. A comprehensive list of Do’s and Don’ts will be circulated in the local language to enhance public awareness.
The Public Works Department, Electricity Department and Panchayats were directed to complete road repairs, lighting arrangements, electrical safety inspections and removal of unauthorised structures well in advance. Traffic and parking management plans are being finalised in coordination with local bodies.
The District Magistrate stressed that strict adherence to the approved safety and crowd management plan is mandatory and warned that failure to implement the prescribed measures would invite stringent administrative action.
The District Administration appealed to devotees and all stakeholders to cooperate fully to ensure the safe, orderly and peaceful conduct of Shri Devi Lairai Jatra 2026.
