With the ensuing Godavari Pushkaralu set to attract a large number of devotees, including sadhus and a host of VIPs, to Bhadrachalam, the sub-divisional police have geared up to use technology-aided as well as manual surveillance mechanisms to ensure peaceful conduct of the mega festival.
Even as the State government has drawn up plans to conduct the once in 12-years mega river festival on the lines of Kumbh Mela, the Police Department has devised a multi-focal security plan with a thrust on surveillance and traffic management.
A host of sadhus from north India and elsewhere in the country are expected to flock to the temple town and other pushkaram pilgrim centres in both Bhadrachalam and Palvancha divisions from July 14 to 25.
The authorities have identified sites for their accommodation at Manuguru crossroads near Bhadrachalam as well as at Mothe in Burgumpadu mandal.
This apart, the pushkar bathing ghats in Bhadrachalam town and Parnashala in Dummugudem mandal are likely to witness high turnout of VIPs from all over the State as well as the neighbouring States.
The multi-pronged security plan of the police envisages technology-aided surveillance using drone cameras and CCTV cameras, besides deploying mobile police teams for maintaining constant vigil at the bathing ghats as well as the routes leading to the sites on the banks of the Godavari.
In addition to this, special focus has been laid on stepping up combing and area domination operations along the inter-State borders with the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas in Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh well ahead of the Pushkaralu fete.
The Police Department reportedly has mooted deployment of police personnel well versed in Koya and other tribal languages at the Pushkar bathing ghats in the tribal sub-plan mandals to guide the pilgrims expected to participate in the festival in large numbers from the Agency areas, source said.
CCTV cameras will be extensively used for surveillance during the ensuing Godavari pushkaralu, said R. Bhaskaran, ASP, Bhadrachalam. Drone cameras will also be used depending on weather conditions, he said, adding that adequate number of mobile police teams, including quick reaction teams, will be pressed into action during the 12-day event.
Checks posts will be set up at vantage points, including one in Charla mandal near the inter-State borders.
Expedite works
Special Correspondent adds: The Special Officer for Godavari Pushkaralu in Adilabad district and Principal Secretary and Commissioner CCLA, Adhar Sinha on Thursday asked officials to speed up works related to Godavari Pushkaralu. While inspecting the progress at the bathing ghats at Mancherial, he said all works need to be completed by July 3. Mr. Sinha said the government would not compromise on the quality of works. He later held a review on the progress with Collector M. Jagan Mohan and other officials and Mancherial MLA N. Diwakar Rao was also present.
