File picture of Sital Sasthi being celebrated in Sambalpur

Sambalpur, May 17: Civic authorities, concerned government departments and the local organising committees met today to finalise preparation for the famous Sital Sasthi festival, which marks the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

“All stakeholders extended their helping hand to make the festival a grand success,” said Samabalpur municipality chairperson Reena Trivedi, who presided over the meeting.

“We have already undertaken a few civil works. All the junior engineers have been instructed to take up works in consultation with the local organising committee,” she said.

It was decided today that the main roads of the city would be repaired before the festival, scheduled to be held on June 6. The municipality was also thinking about special light arrangements during the festival and cleaning the sewers of the city before the festival, the chairperson added.

The water of the Mahanadi, which is being used for drinking purpose, has been a matter of concern for the residents of Sambalpur.

The sewerage water of the Dhobi Jor Nala is being released in the Mahanadi at Balibandha and it is contaminating the water.

The meeting decided that that the sluice gate at Balibandha would be closed during the festival to prevent contamination of drinking water. “We have instructed the sub-divisional officer of the irrigation department to close the sluice gates during the festival,” said Trivedi.

“The municipality will also take initiatives to provide clean drinking water during this festival,” she added.

The Western Orissa Electricity Supply Company (Wesco), the power distribution company which supplies power to the city, was also asked to take required measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply and avoid any kind of accidents during the festival, official sources said.