Infrastructure works for an estimated Rs. 120 crore are being executed in Kumbakonam as part of the Mahamaham preparations. The grand festival is set for February 22 next.
Disclosing this during the special review of works pertaining to Mahamaham conducted at the Kumbakonam Municipality on Wednesday, Thanjavur Collector N.Subbaiyan pointed out that every governmental department and agency has been tasked with specific works and directed the officials to expedite their completion in time.
The Collector in particular urged the authorities to dredge the numerous temple tanks in and around Kumbakonam by utilising the funds already allocated for the purpose. Likewise, the Tangedco has been asked to hasten the infrastructure development works in the municipal limits.
During the previous Mahamaham festival, an estimated 35 lakh people thronged the temple town and several more lakh of people were expected during the next year's spectacle, Dr.Subbaiyan said. The authorities were gearing to meet the influx of pilgrims into the town as part of the festivities and every effort was being made to meet the demands of the pilgrims, he said.
A total of 72 police booths, monitoring cameras in 132 locations and revolving cameras in 26 spots, besides road blocks in 1,163 places would bolster the security and bandobust arrangements for the festival, the Collector said.
Superintendent of Police G.Dharumarajan, Kumbakonam Sub Collector M.Govinda Rao, Municipal Chairperson Rathna Sekar, former MLA Rama Ramanathan, Kumbakonam Municipal Commissioner Kalaiselvan, Joint Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Gnanasekaran, and Joint Director of Health Services Meenakshi participated in the meeting.
