The RTC Colony Residents Welfare Association has donated Rs.18 lakh to Patamata-Patamatalanka Rudrabhumi.
The association presented it to Vijayawada (East) MLA Yelamanchili Ravi, who is coordinating the project to construct the Rudrabhumi, burial ground, here on Sunday. On the occasion, Mr. Ravi recollected how his family experienced harrowing times when their close associate died. In 1984, the city was experiencing heavy rain. The only burial ground near the banks of Bandar canal was submerged in the flood water. There was no other alternative except to consign her to flames at High School. Since then efforts were on to construct a burial ground.
There is a need to make way for a stream of river Krishna near the burial ground. The issue was placed before the Irrigation secretary. The irrigation officials were doubtful whether funds would be released for the proposed stream. “We told them that the expense would be borne by us in view of sentiments of people,” he said, adding, “The people feel it is necessary to take a dip in the river after performing the last rites.”
Association president Jaganmohan Rao said that they were collecting the donations from the residents during the last couple of months. Another set of Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 4 lakh would be donated for the cause, he said. Association secretary Kodali Ranga Rao was present.
