Rajahmundry: With just few days to go for conduct of Godavari Antya Pushkaralu, the authorities are making brisk arrangements for the benefit of devotees by sprucing up the existing facilities in East Godavari. Collector H. Arun Kumar and municipal commissioner V. Vijayarama Raju and other officials inspected the bathing ghats here on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, collector H. Arun Kumar said that they were making all requisite arrangements to the devotees to avoid any inconvenience to them to take holy dip in Godavari river and perform rituals.
He said that barricades were being erected and dress changing rooms, toilets, lighting and drinking water supply and other amenities were being provided at all important ghats and added that as the devotees would also visit pilgrim centres located in Dowleswaram, Antarvedi and Appanapalli, they were also making necessary arrangements at the temples. He said that municipal corporation was taking the lead role in making all necessary amenities and added that choultries and some municipal schools would be provided to accommodate the devotees.
With regard to the arrival of devotees from West Bengal and Odisha states, the Collector said that they were inquiring with the officials in those states to find out how many number of devotees were expected to take part in Godavari fete.
He directed the irrigation authorities to place sand on bathing ghat edges to help devotees not to get stuck up in slush and said that in the event of water flow in the river go down, they would reduce the quantum of outflow and ensure adequate quantum of water available at the ghats for benefit of devotees to take holy dip. He said that in case the river witness floods, they would use the mass shower to help the devotees to take bath. Meanwhile, the Urban police had arranged 10 parking slots for vehicles coming from outside and five for RTC buses. Heavy transport vehicles will not be permitted into the city limits from July 31 onwards. Curbs will be imposed on movement auto rickshaws near bathing ghats. Urban SP B. Raja Kumari said that the devotees would be provided with two tier security at the bathing ghats to help them take holy dip and perform rituals and added that top most priority would be given to ensure safety to the devotees.
