Vasai-Virar (Maharashtra), Sep 3 (IANS) In a major safety initiative ahead of the Dahi Handi festival, the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) has extended accident insurance coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh per Govinda participating in this year’s celebrations.
The move is aimed at strengthening the safety net for Govindas who form human pyramids to break the traditional Dahi Handi. The activity involves significant risks, including falls from considerable heights and other accidents during the formation of human towers.
The Gopal Kala (Dahi Handi) festival will be celebrated with enthusiasm on Saturday. Every year, Govinda teams compete to reach and break Dahi Handis placed at varying heights, making safety precautions an important concern for participants and organisers.
Keeping the potential risks in mind, the civic body has approved the Gopal Kala accident insurance scheme, under which participating Govindas are being provided accident insurance protection of up to Rs 10 lakh each.
The municipal corporation had appealed to all Govinda teams to register their members for the free insurance coverage by September 3. The initiative has received an encouraging response.
According to the civic body, a total of 118 Govinda teams have registered this year, covering approximately 8,000 Govindas across the municipal corporation area. All registered participants have been brought under the insurance scheme.
The response is also higher compared with last year, indicating growing awareness among Govinda teams about the importance of accident protection during the festival.
The civic body has urged Govinda teams, organisers and citizens to celebrate Dahi Handi with enthusiasm while maintaining discipline and following all necessary safety measures.
With this initiative by the Sports Department of the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation, the administration has sought to ensure that the spirit of Dahi Handi is accompanied by greater safety and security for the participants.
–IANS
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