JAMMU: As the auspicious Navratras are proceeding towards their culmination Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has intensified its campaign for cleanliness of the city and pollution free Tawi river while the urban local body has also collaborated with Tourism Department to organise certain programmes on Navratras to attract tourism in Jammu.

Mayor Rajinder Sharma has moved an extra-mile urging the devotees of the Goddess to avoid Saak Visarjan (immersion of sprouted barley seeds) ritual in Tawi and perform the same in waters of Ranbir canal.

Addressing a jam-packed presser here, the Mayor stressed upon adoring the holy river Tawi also popular as Surya-Putri daughter of the Sun by at-least not polluting its waters by throwing polythene bags in it and added: "Let this good habit start from the auspicious Navratras itself."

"We will also have NSS volunteers stationed on all the five bridges of Tawi from 9.30 am to 11 .30 am from tomorrow itself till Navmi (the ninth and the last day of Navratras) to aware the devotees about harms of polluting Tawi by throwing polythene and immersing Saak into the river," he maintained adding that Saak immersion in Tawi reduces the intake capacity at filtering plant on the bank of the river which in turn triggers water problems in the city.

"Also we will have the artificial lake on Tawi ready by this year end and the activities of immersions and disposing polythene in the river may make the lake water dirty," the Mayor continued.

He also said that Saak immersion will be disallowed even at Har Ki Poudi on the bank of River Tawi.

"The JMC autos are also announcing the same daily to aware masses in this regard," Sharma further said.

Meanwhile, the Mayor has invited people from all walks of life to visit JDA Park at Bahu Fort on March 28, 2023 at 4 pm with families to witness cultural and religious programmes which will be followed by seeking of blessings by the Goddess.

"In collaboration with the Tourism Department we are organising certain programmes like half an hour laser show which shall start at 7 pm tomorrow after which there will be Jammu view for 30 minutes and one hour long musical fountain show and open theatre for 30 minutes to attract people to celebrate the Navratras with fun and enthusiasm and strengthen their cordial relations," Sharma said.