Expressing confidence that all arrangements for the Dasara Navaratri festival at Kanakadurga temple atop Indrakeeladri would be completed by September 17, two days before the commencement of the nine-day festivities, Krishna district Collector Peeyush Kumar on Saturday said there would be no inconvenience to the pilgrims visiting the temple during the festival days, as officials of all departments were working in close coordination to make the event a grand success.
Addressing a press conference after reviewing the arrangements with the officials of various departments, Mr. Peeyush Kumar said the works at the temple were divided into two categories – long-term and short-term. The long- term works had nothing to do with the ensuing Dasara festivals.
“It will take at least one more year to complete the long-term works like construction of retaining wall and prevention of fall of boulders. Now, we are focussing on short-term works that are aimed at providing facilities to the pilgrims visiting the temple during the festival days,” he explained.
The Collector attributed the delay in the commencement of arrangements for the festival to the sudden death of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.
However, works had been taken up on a war-footing to compensate for the loss of time.
“The Municipal Corporation is constructing 150 toilets for the convenience of the pilgrims. The re-carpeting of the road stretch between Kaleswara Rao market and the temple will be completed before the festival,” he asserted.
Mr. Peeyush Kumar said multi-department teams were constituted for the conduct of the festival and the teams would be deputed to all bathing ghats.
Medical teams
To a question, Mr. Peeyush Kumar said there was no instance of swine flu in the district and, hence, it was felt that there was no need to distribute masks to all the pilgrims.
“It is nothing but creating panic among the pilgrims. Instead, we will arrange medical teams at all the important places, and if any pilgrim complains of illness, he/she will be immediately sent to the special ward of the Government General Hospital for treatment.”
