With hardly a month left for Godavari Pushkaralu to begin, the law enforcement authorities have accorded top priority to erection of watchtowers one each at all the Pushkar bathing ghats in the district.
The watchtowers are considered essential at bathing ghats on the banks of river Godavari from both safety and security point of view.
The Irrigation Department officials have drawn up plans to erect watchtowers in the next two weeks in all the bathing ghats in Bhadrachalam, Palvancha and Kothagudem divisions.
Work on the proposed two watchtowers – one each at the upcoming bathing ghats at Kondaigudem and Chinaravigudem in Manuguru mandal – are expected to commence in the next few days.
Police officials of Manuguru division held discussions with the Irrigation Department authorities to ensure expeditious completion of the two towers as per the prescribed safety parameters.
Work on the bathing ghats at Kondaigudem and Chinaravigudem has reached the final stage, said an Irrigation Department official. The two bathing ghats will be ready by this month end, well ahead of the Godavari Pushkaralu to be held from July 14 to 25, he said, unwilling to be named.
The police and fire department personnel will be deployed on the watchtowers to maintain constant surveillance over the entire area around the bathing ghats, said B. Rajesh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Manuguru.
The personnel manning the watchtowers will be in constant touch with the staff at the command and control centre to ensure safety of the pilgrims and prevent untoward incidents at the bathing ghats, he said.
