35 ghats in Godavari districts have low levels of water
A Sivalingam illuminated with lights at Kotagummam Centre near Pushkar ghat as part of Maha Pushkaralu in Rajahmundry on Friday. (Photo: Ch.NARAYANA RAO)
Rajahmundry: Lack of adequate water at the bathing ghats dow-nstream the Godavari river irks the devotees to take holy dip during the Godavari Maha Pushkaralu in Godavari districts. At present only 25,000 cusecs of water is available in the river. The irrigation authorities are drawing 12,000 cusecs of water from Seeleru. Nearly 14,000 cusecs of water is being released into canals located in central, eastern and western delta for the benefit of farmers to raise crops while 11,000 cusecs of water is being discharged by slightly lifting the crest gates of Sir Arthur Cotton barrage at Dowleswaram downstream.
Out of a total of 262 bathing ghats located in both the districts, nearly 145 are located downstream. Out of them, a majority are small ghats only located in the villages al-ong the course of river. The irrigation authorities have identified about 28 ghats in East Godavari side and seven ghats in West Godavari side are having less quantum of water at the ghats.
Thousands of devotees who are arriving to these ghats are a disappointed lot as they are unable to take holy dip in the river. However, the irrigation authorities maintain that they are allowing the devotees to go a little deep on the bed of the river where water is available to take holy dip and perform rituals. The authorities in anticipation of such development have identified some ghats and even erected barricades to ensure safety to the devotees and rescue teams with boats are also deployed at such places.
In addition to that, the authorities have set up showers at some ghats where they are sure of non-availability of adequate water, by running a pipeline into water source in the river and pumping the water with electric motors continuously to ensure the devotees get adequate supply of water at ghats.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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