The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Frantic rush on to meet works' deadline

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 25, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Frantic rush on to meet works' deadline

By D. Sreenivasulu

BEECHUPALLI (MAHABUBNAGAR DT.), AUG. 24. Works at Beechupalli ghat are being executed at breakneck speed for the Pushkarams.

Beechupalli, considered a major Pushkaram ghat as it is connected by the National Highway-7, will be the preferred place for pilgrims from Hyderabad (160 km away). Those from Kurnool, too, will choose this place, a 40-minute drive when compared to five-hour journey to Srisailam.

Ghats developed

Sixteen ghats at 14 places in Mahabubnagar district are being developed for the Pushkaram at a cost of Rs. 18 crores. The places are: Beechupalli, Rangapur, Alampur, Nadi Agraharam, Chintarevula, Nandimalla (Narayanpet), Krishna, Pasupula and Panchadev Padu (Maktal), Chellepad (Weepanagandla), Jataprole (Weepanagandla), Somasila (Kollapur), Malleswaram, Manchalakatta and Lingala.

At Beechupalli, two large ghats, built at a cost of Rs. 85 lakhs each, can accommodate 10,000 people at a time. On the northern bank, another ghat is being built at Rangapur.

Shuttle service

A few shuttle services would be operated for those who cannot walk from Pushkara Nagar to the temple premises. The stretch along the National High way would be barricaded to prevent vehicles from entering the prohibited zone. Beautification works were taken up around the temple premises at a cost of Rs 10 lakhs, including fountains.

Facilities offered

The Special Officer in-charge, T.P. Timmareddy, was hopeful of meeting the deadline of August 26 for the completion of works. Sulabh will organise sanitation operations in the township. Satyasai Seva Samithi and Beechupalli devastanam will distribute free meal packets to the pilgrims.

Indian Oil Corporation will offer kitchen facilities for families who want to cook. They will be charged Rs. 6 per hour for the facility. The prices charged by priests for performing rituals will be displayed all along the route to the river.

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