Officials gear up for Godavari Pushkaralu

A comprehensive strategy designed to overcome loopholes in traffic management. The authorities plan to earmark parking space at Manuguru crossroads.

May 21, 2015 10:20 am | Updated May 23, 2016 04:16 pm IST - KHAMMAM:

Sunset at the godavari river at bhadrachalam in Khammam district on Wednesday. Photo: G.N. Rao

Sunset at the godavari river at bhadrachalam in Khammam district on Wednesday. Photo: G.N. Rao

The Bhadrachalam Sub-Division police have devised a uni-focal traffic management strategy envisaging use of the drone cameras and CCTV cameras for preventing traffic congestion on the main road leading to Bhadrachalam, the famous pilgrim centre situated on the banks of the Godavari, during the ensuing Pushkaralu.

The strategy has been designed in a comprehensive manner to overcome various loopholes in the existing traffic system, including the acute shortage of parking space in the temple town and prevent traffic snarls during the mega religious fete.

The plan of action encompasses effective use of remote-controlled drone cameras, the hi-tech aerial surveillance gadgets to regulate the movement of vehicular traffic and implement the traffic management and security plans in a professional manner, sources added.

It contained a slew of initiatives to bring about effective coordination between the police personnel of Khammam district in Telangana State and their counterparts in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh for regulating the vehicular traffic towards Bhadrachalam from Nellipaka and other directions.

The authorities have drawn up plans to earmark extensive parking space at Manuguru crossroads, Nellipaka and other roads leading to the temple town. The move is intended to stop all the private vehicles at more than five km away from the temple town during the 12-day fete. Only the RTC buses would be allowed to travel to the temple town, sources added.

A plan is on the anvil to use five drone cameras and a few dozens of CCTV cameras in and around Bhadrachalam during the Godavari Pushkaralu slated for July this year, said R. Bhaskaran, ASP, Bhadrachalam.

A large space to an extent of 600 acres would be earmarked for vehicle parking at Manuguru crossroads to reduce the traffic burden on the existing main thoroughfare from Sarapaka to Bhadrachalam and other roads leading to the temple town during the fete.

RTC would operate special buses to carry the pilgrims to the temple town from the specified pickup points, he said, adding that the traffic regulations would be strictly implemented to ensure hassle-free pilgrimage for devotees during the Pushkaralu.

Plan of action

Drone and CCTV cameras to be used to prevent traffic congestion

All private vehicles to be stopped more than five km away from the temple town

Only RTC buses to be allowed to travel to Bhadrachalam

600 acres to be earmarked for vehicle parking at Manuguru crossroads

RTC to operate special buses

Traffic regulations to be strictly implemented

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