Minister for Water Resources Devineni Umamaheswara Rao has called upon all the officials concerned to treat every devotee visiting the Kankadurga Temple during Dasara festival as a VIP and act accordingly.
Mr. Rao was addressing the first coordination meeting with officials of Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam, revenue, police, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation, RTC, fire and others.
“Taking a cue from the Krishna Pushkaram, which was organised successfully last year, all the officials should ensure that Dasara, which is a State festival, is well organised with all facilities and services for the devotees,” he said.
He said that huge rush is expected on special days including two Fridays, a Sunday and Moola Nakshatram day on September 27, and the last three days that are part of the nine-day festivity that begins on September 21 and ends on September 30.
Stressing on the need for proper queue system, Mr. Rao asked authorities concerned to overcome the flaws that occurred last year and streamline the queue lines accordingly. Temple officials were asked to keep at least 25 lakh laddus ready during the festival.
Kesineni Srinivas, MP, emphasised the need for proper announcement of the location of parking lots for the visitors. District Collector B. Lakshmikantham said the helpline at the model guest house will work 24x7 during the nine days and NH will be open for public from September 21. He further said that VIP visits will be allowed between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 5 p.m on all days.
Temple EO A. Surya Kumari said that devotees will be allowed to visit the temple from 8.30 a.m. on the first day and from 3 a.m. on remaining days. On Moola nakshatra devotees will be allowed to visit from 2 a.m., she said.
MP K. Narayana, Temple board chairman Gauranga Babu, MLC B. Venkanna, Municipal Commissioner J. Nivas, Joint Commissioner of Police Ramana Kumar, DCP Kranthi Rana Tata and others were present.
