Vasai-Virar Prepares for Dahi Handi at 825 Locations
Vasai-Virar will host Dahi Handi celebrations at 825 private and public locations on Saturday, with the municipal health department, police and traffic authorities preparing for large crowds, visiting Govinda teams and possible injuries during the festival.
The city will have 145 public and 679 private Dahi Handi venues, according to a report by Loksatta. Major junctions, traffic nodes and busy locations were being decorated with lighting and event installations ahead of the celebrations. Organisers have planned cash prizes running into lakhs of rupees at several venues.
Govinda teams from Vasai-Virar, Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and the Palghar region are expected to participate. The celebrations will include cultural programmes, Lavani performances and other entertainment events, with film and dance artists also scheduled to appear at some venues. Political parties, including the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena factions, Nationalist Congress Party, Congress and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, have organised events offering prize money.
The Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation’s medical and health department has arranged treatment facilities at its primary health centres and hospitals. Govindas can sustain injuries while forming human pyramids, and municipal officials have instructed private hospitals to admit injured participants for treatment during emergencies, the report said. Municipal chief medical officer Dr Bhakti Chaudhary confirmed the health department’s preparations.
The Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar Police Commissionerate has also deployed personnel for the celebrations. Police said they would monitor disputes, incidents of harassment, obscene remarks directed at women and the throwing of coloured water at pedestrians. Officers have warned that action will be taken against people violating the law.
Traffic police will be stationed on roads to manage congestion and regulate movement around the venues. Police have also directed organisers and participants to comply with applicable noise-pollution rules, warning that violations could lead to action.
The celebrations coincide with Sunday’s weekly holiday, which officials and organisers expect could increase public participation. Police, traffic personnel and health authorities will remain deployed during the Saturday events to manage crowd movement, traffic, safety complaints and medical emergencies.
