Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

One crore pilgrims likley for Tungabhadra Pushkaralu

HYDERABAD: Close to one crore pilgrims are expected to take part in the Tungabhadra Pushkaralu in Kurnool and Mahabubnagar districts from December 9 to 20.

The 12-day Pushkaralu being organised on a massive scale after similar effort in 1996 would witness heavy turnout of pilgrims from not only Rayalaseema, Telangana but also from neighbouring Karnataka.

Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Sunday reviewed the arrangements for the Pushakaram with senior officials, elected representatives of the two districts at Secretariat.

Endowments Minister J. Ratnakar Rao, Marketing Minister M. Mareppa, Rural Development Minister G. Chinna Reddy and Civil Supplies Minister, Kasu Venkata Krishna Reddy, who is in charge for Kurnool district, attended the meeting.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Mr. Ratnakar Rao said elaborate arrangements were being made. The Chief Minister had instructed all the concerned departments to complete the works by November, he said and added that more than Rs. 125 crores was being spent on the works.

Mr. Mareppa said the river flows for a distance of 160 km in Kurnool district before joining Krishna. In all 37 bathing ghats were being constructed along the course of the river. Major ghats would be at Kurnool and Mantralayam. He said the Chief Minister had asked the officials to ensure that transportation facilities were adequate. Pilgrims arriving by trains would be taken to the ghats in buses free of cost.

Mr. Chinna Reddy said close to 10-lakh pilgrims were expected on the Mahabubnagar side of Tungabhadra at Alampur, Manopad, Aija and Vaddepalli mandals.

The famous Jogulamba temple and other religious places would get a facelift.

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