Shillong, Sep 18: The East Khasi Hills district administration carried out a joint inspection of the proposed venue for the upcoming Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, with preparations and traffic management among the key issues under review.
Though sources have mentioned that the festival will now be held at Kurkalang in Bhoirymbong, the venue is yet to be officially confirmed. Last month the organisers announced that the festival will move to a permanent location at Mawkhanu in the New Shillong Township. The organisers, Rockski, still have this new site listed on its ticketing website for this year’s festival.
Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal said the inspection was conducted on Wednesday in coordination with the Superintendent of Police’s office, Tourism Department, Public Works Department (Roads), Urban Affairs Department and others.
He said observations from the inspection would be placed before the government for a collective decision on how to expedite the preparations for the event.
Asked whether the venue for the festival was yet to be finalised, including the possibility of holding it in Shillong city, Baranwal said preparations were underway and a government-level meeting would be held to decide the way forward.
“Basically, preparations are underway and the organisers were also there. A meeting will be taken at a government level to decide how to go about it,” he said.
On traffic management, Baranwal said the administration was looking at ways to minimise inconvenience to residents, participants and audiences during the festival.
He said officials from the police were present during the inspection to assess arrangements related to entry and exit points, parking and other traffic-related aspects.
“We want to minimise the inconvenience that is caused to the people as well as to the participants and the audience of the event as well,” he said.
On whether additional security forces would be deployed during the festival, Baranwal said adequate security measures were in place, while the decision on additional forces would be taken by the SP Office based on requirements.
“I believe we have adequate security measures. As far as the requirement of additional forces is concerned, it is best for the SP office to decide and request the same, if necessary,” he said.
The two-day festival is scheduled to be held on November 20-21.
