Gujarat: Ahmedabad civic body combines heat relief, cleanliness drive for lakhs of devotees during Rath Yatra
Ahmedabad, July 16
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation combined heat mitigation measures with a citywide cleanliness awareness campaign during the 149th Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra, deploying mist vans, fire brigade teams, and public awareness initiatives along the procession route to improve the experience for lakhs of devotees.
With large crowds gathering for the annual procession amid hot weather, AMC coordinated multiple departments to provide relief.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel periodically sprayed water on roads along the Rath Yatra route to keep surface temperatures down, while dedicated mist vans operated continuously throughout the procession, releasing fine water mist to lower surrounding temperatures and make conditions more comfortable for devotees.
"Fire brigade teams and mist van units remained on constant patrol, spraying water wherever required as the procession moved through the city. The arrangements were made with a focus on the convenience and safety of devotees attending the Rath Yatra," officials emphasised.
Alongside the heat relief measures, AMC's Solid Waste Management Department conducted a cleanliness awareness campaign along the procession route, using the event to promote waste segregation and responsible litter disposal.
As part of the campaign, the department set up public awareness stalls and deployed a live mascot representing the city's four-bin waste segregation system.
The colourful mascot interacted with devotees throughout the route, encouraging people not to litter in public places, to segregate waste correctly, and to contribute to keeping the city clean.
The campaign sought to take the message of "Clean Ahmedabad, Beautiful Ahmedabad" to the lakhs of devotees and residents who gathered for the Rath Yatra.
Many visitors, including children, were drawn to the mascot, with several stopping to take photographs while engaging with the cleanliness campaign.
"The initiative aimed to combine the city's religious celebrations with greater awareness of environmental responsibility and civic cleanliness," officials said.
The corporation added that departments remained operational throughout the day to ensure the smooth management of the Rath Yatra while maintaining arrangements for public convenience, safety, and sanitation along the procession route.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see AMC being proactive. But honestly, why do we need a mascot to tell people not to litter? Basic civic sense should be there. Still, better late than never. Hope this awareness actually sticks and people follow it beyond Rath Yatra. The heat relief measures are excellent though - mist vans are a brilliant idea for such events.
Impressive coordination from Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. I've been to India during summer and understand how challenging it is to manage huge crowds in hot weather. The mist vans and water spraying are practical solutions that show genuine care for devotees' wellbeing. The cleanliness campaign alongside religious celebration is a smart way to spread awareness.
As someone who attended the Rath Yatra last year, I know how suffocating it can get with the crowd and heat. These mist vans would have been a blessing! Also, the four-bin waste segregation mascot is a fun way to educate people. AMC deserves appreciation for thinking about both comfort and cleanliness. Jai Jagannath! 🚩
The mascot idea is cute but I feel the real problem is people don't care even after awareness campaigns. AMC should also focus on having enough dustbins along the route and proper enforcement of littering fines. The heat relief part is well done though - mist vans and water spraying show they understand the ground realities of a summer procession.
This is exactly the kind of thoughtful urban management we need more of. Combining religious events with practical civic measures shows respect for both tradition and public health. The
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