Chief Secretary I.Y.R. Krishna Rao has asserted that the government was determined to ensure that the Godavari Purshkarams slated to begin on July 14 is incident free. Efforts should be made to keep river Godavari clean and adjacent towns and villages clean and green.
Reviewing the Pushkaram works along with senior officials and the heads of departments in East and West Godavari districts on Friday, Mr. Krishna Rao said an empowered steering committee would be constituted to monitor works on weekly basis and ensure effective implementation of various works related to Pushkarams. He said separate website would be created for the convenience of people of other places while the Department of Culture would design logo for Pushkarams. With regard to awareness on this event, he suggested the Endowments Department to organise special devotional programmes from March at important places. The Chief Secretary laid emphasis on cleansing the river Godavari at the main venue Rajahmundry, Dowleswaram, and also Kovvuru, Narasapuram and other places. He directed R&B and Panchayat Raj departments to give importance in laying approach roads leading to temples and ghats and take steps to upgrade local primary health centres with specialists to meet the health needs of the visiting pilgrims.
Deputy Chief Minister N. Chinarjappa, who also participated in the review meeting, requested the Chief Secretary to take up works like ghats, temple repairs, roads immediately and preference should be given to major.
Collector H. Arun Kumar said Rs. 623 crore worth works were proposed in the district for the event.
