Director-General of Police J.V. Ramudu instructed officials of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) and other departments concerned to construct big bathing ghats for the convenience of pilgrims taking part in the Krishna Pushkaram.
During a field visit here on Friday, along with District Collector Babu A., Joint Collector G. Chandrudu and VMC Commissioner G. Veerapandian and others, Mr. Ramudu said priority should be given to making entry and exit points spacious enough to prevent any untoward incident. He was referring to the stampede that took place at Rajahmundry during the Godavari Maha Pushkaram.
He said the quality of apron works taken up downstream of the Prakasam barrage and other arrangements should be high and be completed in time. The officials of Irrigation Department should have in place the same type of plans that are usually drafted to tackle floods, he added.
Mr. Babu told the DGP that proper barricading was being done to regulate the crowds keeping in view stampede like situations. Bathing ghats were 10 metres wide and have enough space to move around. All arrangements would be completed by the end of July.
APSRTC Managing Director N. Sambasiva Rao, Police Commissioner Gautam Sawang, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashok Kumar and Sub-Collector G. Srujana were among those present.
Priority should be given to making entry and exist points spacious enough to prevent any untoward incident
J.V. Ramudu
DGP
