Visitors to the two Pushkar ghats on either side of this bridge on the Krishna in this village will not miss the political symbolism. The bridge acts as the border between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and in a few yards away, an RTA check post is located.
The pushkar ghats have attained a political hue. While the dominant colour of the ghat on the right side of the river was bright yellow, the official colour of Telugu Desam, on the other side, it is a combination of white, pink and red in the ghats in Telangana, indicating the influence of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government.
The fully tiled Pushkar ghat at Pondugula has two wide approach roads and a wide parking lot.
Located at a distance of 175 km from Hyderabad, the ghat at Pondugula is the first ghat on the Krishna.
The other ghats at Nagarjuna Sagar, Anupu and Krishnaveni are located upstream. The local revenue and police personnel are expecting a huge rush to the ghats and are making arrangements accordingly.
“The State Government is spending Rs.10 crore on the ghat at Pondugula, the entry point to Andhra Pradesh from Nalgonda district. We will add more amenities, including high mast lights,’’ said TDP MLA representing Gurazala constituency, Y. Srinivasa Rao.
The village itself has attained some significance as it was from here in September 2013, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, who was then leader of the Opposition, launched the Atma Gaurava Yatra, after the Centre announced the formation of Telangana.
As the TDP top brass were mulling over various options from where Mr. Naidu would begin the tour, Mr. Srinivasa Rao raised his hand and announced that he would ensure a good turnout.
Back then, the fortunes of the TDP had not been so bright as Mr. Naidu began a whirlwind tour of the State to explain the vagaries of bifurcation and appeal to the people to vote back the TDP.
