VIJAYAWADA: Pilgrims visiting Vijayawada city for Krishna Pushkaralu will be served free and hygienic food. The government has made necessary arrangements for supply of free food to pilgrims and has appealed to voluntary organisations to come forward to acquaint the pilgrims with the taste of Andhra hospitality. As part of the efforts, the Akshaya Patra foundation has been making arrangements to supply free food to 3 lakh pilgrims daily. A central kitchen has been set up at Gollapudi market yard to supply food to various pushkarnagars in and around the city. Besides, several voluntary organisations have also came forward to supply free food to pilgrims.
The officials are coordinating with these organisations to supply free and hygienic food to pilgrims during the 12-day festival. Meanwhile, the state government is planning to maintain water levels at various bathing ghats as heavy inflows registered at the projects in Karnataka. The officials are expecting flood inflow to a tune of 9,300 cusecs to Prakasam barrage. The water level at Prakasam barrage increased as 3,000 cusecs of water released from Pulichintala project. Elsewhere, residents of Vijayawada, Guntur and surrounding areas are gearing up to participate in service programmes including free food to pilgrims.
City top cop asks leaders to ensure smooth festival:
Vijayawada police commissioner Gautam Sawang on Monday convened an all-party meeting at his camp office and sought the cooperation of the leaders to ensure the 12-day fete passes off without a hitch. Mr Sawang requested the political laders not stage any protests or rallies during the Pushkaralu and sought their suggestions for conducting the river festival without hindrance.
YSRC leader Vangaveeti Ranga appealed to the police chief not to create any inconvenience to the public especially in I-Town area and Krishnalanka areas by diverting traffic flow. Malladi Vishnu of the Congress asked the Commissioner to release alternative spots for vendors at the Rythu Bazaar so that their livelihood is not affected since the bazaar will be shut for 12 days at a stretch.
All the leaders assured the police chief of complete cooperation for the smooth conducting of Pushkarlu in the city. Meanwhile, managements of colleges and schools in the limits of Vijayawada and Guntur cities have declared holidays in view of the Krishna pushkaralu. Originally, several of the educational institutions had scheduled holidays for August 11, but taking into consideration the river festival, they have declared holidays up to August 23.
According to sources, the institutions were instructed to make available their premises for accommodation of staff from across the state. While lower rung staff will be housed in educational institutions, higher officials will be staying in hotels.
