Krishna Pushkaralu in Aug.: CS

Chief Secretary Dr Rajiv Sharma today directed the officials to speed up the works of Krishna Pushkaralu to be conducted in August this year.

At a high-level review meeting with the officials, Dr Sharma said the arrangements for the 12-day event should be made with quality in such a way that could surpass the arrangements that were made during Godavari Pushkaralu.

So far, we have spent Rs 771 crore for 728 works for the Pushkaralu and the works are needed to be expedited with a focus on quality, he said. Emphasizing the need for better amenities for the devotees whose number is expected to grow, he said the special security mesh should be put in place at the bathing ghats as the onset of Monsoon is likely to offer better rains.

Construction of Pushkar Ghats, bathing ghats with special lighting, expansion of roads, repairing, transportation, barricading, water, power, sanitation and clean drive, parking lot, toilets and other amenities are focused areas for the entire festivities, he said. He also asked the officials to take steps for mobile medical teams, mobile towers and cultural programs on the occasion to avoid inconvenience to the devout.

Officials present were: Municipal Special Chief Secretary MG Gopal, Panchayat Raj Special Chief Secretary S P Singh, Animal Husbandry Principal Secretary Suresh Chanda, Finance Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, Tourism Secretary B Venkatesham, Finance and Information secretaries Siva Shankar and Navin Mittal and others.