This year Biabani Urs celebration will be grand: Government Chief Whip D Vinay Bhaskar

Kazipet: The Urs festivity of historic Hazrat Syed Shah Afzal Biabani at the Kazipet Dargah would be grander, the Government Chief Whip D Vinay Bhaskar said on Thursday.

The Chief Whip who offered prayers at the Dargah reviewed the arrangements of the two-day Urs festivity scheduled to start on Saturday. Stating that the Urs at Kazipet Dargah is the third biggest festivity in the country, he said that it draws a large number of devotees from across the country and abroad.

"The Urs here which has 163 years of history is a manifestation of communal harmony among the people of tri-cities Warangal-Hanamkonda-Kazipet," he said, referring to the importance of the festivity pan-India.

He urged the Urs committee to cooperate with the administration which is trying to project Warangal as plastic-free city. He also urged the politicos and non-governmental organisations to sensitise people about the hazardous effects of plastics.

Vinay directed the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC) to go tough on those who resort to use flexis and plastic glasses. "Do not even spare Corporators if they use or encourage use of plastics. Instead of flexis, people can put up cloth banners," he said.

He directed the officials to ensure drinking water and power supply in Dargah area. He told the police department to install more number of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the region to keep 24X7 surveillance during the Urs.

This apart, the DM&HO officials were told to set up medical camps near Dargah for the convenience of devotees. The officials were also told to regulate the traffic at the Dargah level crossing by coordinating with the Railway authorities.

Earlier, Vinay laid foundation stone for the Rs 45 lakh Gusul Khana (a facility for Muslims for performing final rites).

Dargah head Khusroo Pasha, Afzal Biabani Dargah descendents Bhaktiar Biabani, Mansoor Pasha, 36h Division Corporator Abu baker, utsav committee member Fasil, Kazipet tahsildar Nageshwar Rao, GWMC EE Laxma Reddy and DM&HO Dr Harish Raj were among others present.