Minister for Panchayat Raj and Information Technology K. Taraka Rama Rao instructed the authorities to make all arrangements for the smooth conduct of Godavari Pushkaralu without causing any inconvenience to pilgrims .
The Minister, along with Minister for Forests Jogu Ramanna, reviewed the arrangements for the event on Wednesday. Stating that Karimnagar district has an important link to the pushkaralu because of the river Godavari flowing along a distance of 150 km touching various important temples, he said that the government decided to conduct pushkaralu in 36 places in 22 villages covering 10 mandals .
Expressing displeasure over slow progress of various developmental works, the Minister instructed the authorities to expedite them on a rapid pace. He asked the authorities to allot huge space for parking of vehicles and streamline flow of traffic.
Besides the deployment of 6,950 police personnel for pushkaralu duties, the Minister wanted the authorities to utilise the services of NSS and NCC volunteers. He directed the authorities to station rescue teams with expert swimmers at all pushkar ghats to avoid untoward incidents.
In order to meet the drinking water requirements of pilgrims, Mr Rama Rao asked the authorities to deploy mobile RO water plants at Dharmapuri, Kaleshwaram, Koti Lingala and Manthani shrines. He said 44 medical teams would be deployed to provide assistance to pilgrims at all the pushkar ghats, besides 16 ambulances and ten 108 vehicles to meet any eventuality.
Asking the authorities to erect digital signboards informing pilgrims about the pushkar ghats and other services, he also wanted top priority to be accorded for sanitation at all the ghats and said, if needed staff from other districts also may be roped in.
Chief Whip Koppula Eshwar, State cultural council Chairman Rasamayi Balakishan, legislators Gangula Kamalakar, D Manohar Reddy, S Satyanarayana, B Shoba, V Satish Kumar, MLC P Sudhakar Reddy, Collector Neetu Prasad, SP D Joel Davis, Joint Collector Pausumi Basu and others were also present.
