No let-up in flow of pilgrims

Guwahati: Even as the Ambubachi Mela neared its end, there was no let-up in the flow of tourists and devotees to Kamakhya Temple on Friday.
The Kamrup (Metro) district administration, which had a tough time managing the crowd, pegged the overall footfall at the fair at 20 lakh.
"With so many visitors, maintaining sanitation and hygiene was tough. We managed thanks to coordination among government agencies, police and volunteers," said DC M Angamuthu.He said the administration was expecting the footfall to touch 25 lakh.
The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and public health engineering (PHE) department have been looking after cleanliness and hygiene at the temple and across camps set up for devotees. The PHE department has set up around 700 toilets in and around the temple.
The district administration, in association with the GMC and Kamakhya Temple Management Committee, will organize a cleanliness programme under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on the premises of the temple and the camps on June 28. The drive will be carried out in the temple area, Naharbari, Bangshi Bagan, Bharalumukh, Sonaram field, Pandu camp, Maligaon Chariali to Old Pandu Station, Kamakhya foothills to Kamakhya railway station and at the station itself. The administration has also requested interested NGOs to take part in the drive.