Alerted by the stampede in Rajahmundry leading to casualties, the Telangana Government on Tuesday rushed Home Minister Naini Narasimha Reddy and DGP Anurag Sharma to review security arrangements in Bhadrachalam and Kaleswaram, where the rush of pilgrims to take the holy dip during Godavari Pushkaralu would be the highest.
The Home Minister and the DGP flew down to Kaleswaram and Bhadrachalam while a helicopter was kept on stand by at the Bhadrachalam ghat to meet any eventuality.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, on his return from Dharmapuri in Karimngar district after participating in Pushkaralu held a review meeting with senior officials at the Camp Office. He spoke to senior officials posted at Basar, Kaleswaram and Bhadrachalam Pushkar ghats.
When officials informed him there was rush of pilgrims at Kaleswaram and Bhadrachalam, the Chief Minister asked officials monitoring the situation to step up security and provide all facilities. On the direction of the Chief Minister, the Home Minister and the DGP flew to the two places for an on the spot inspection.
Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao instructed officials to erect barricades to ensure free movement of pilgrims and prevent the devotees from getting into deeper waters in the river. Expert divers would be stationed at vantage places, he said.
The Chief Minister was very particular that senior citizens and children should be ensured hassles-free holy dip and darshan at the temples. He directed the power utilities to provide round the clock power supply besides asking health and medical staff to be alert.
