Godavari Pushkaralu To Match Kumbh Mela: CM
Naidu reviewed the arrangements to be made for organizing pushkaram in half a dozen districts covering Polavaram, Eluru, East Godavari, West Godavari, Dr. BR Ambedkar Konaseema and Kakinada where River Godavari flows
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has said the next Godavari Pushkaralu would be held on a scale comparable to the Kumbh Mela.
Chairing a first-ever high-level review of Pushkaralu preparations at the secretariat on Friday, he asked officials ensure elaborate arrangements for the safety, comfort and seamless movement of pilgrims.
The 12-day religious congregation takes place from June 26 to July 7, 2027. It is expected to draw nearly 10 crore devotees from within and abroad.
The CM noted that only 18 months remained for the grand event. He asked the administration to begin work immediately and execute the plans at a fast pace.
Given the massive footfall expected for the holy dip in the Godavari, he stressed the need for world-class infrastructure along the 212-km river stretch that flows through the Polavaram, Eluru, East Godavari, West Godavari, Kakinada, and the BR Ambedkar Konaseema districts.
He also asked officials to initiate consultations with the Centre to secure funds.
Officials informed the CM that plans have been drawn up to develop 373 bathing ghats over a total length of 9,918 metres, including 139 new ghats in addition to the existing 234.
District-wise, Konaseema will have the highest number with 175 ghats, followed by East Godavari (102), West Godavari (40), Eluru (34), Polavaram (14) and Kakinada (6).
Naidu suggested constructing a model ghat in Rajamahendravaram first and replicating its design elsewhere, while also enhancing the capacity of existing ghats.
With pilgrim safety a top priority, Naidu called for AI-driven crowd management systems, real-time monitoring and the use of RTGS-based services to regulate rush at ghats. He underlined the importance of route management, adequate parking away from ghats, and robust plans to prevent traffic congestion, stampedes and fire accidents, particularly in tent cities.
To address accommodation needs, he directed officials to establish tent cities and encourage homestays with public participation.
The chief minister also ordered comprehensive road development to ensure smooth access from all regions, completion of Polavaram Project works well before Pushkaralu, and reliable mobile connectivity, especially in agency areas.
Special bus services are to be operated, while the state will take up with the Centre the running of additional trains and flights during the event.
Drawing lessons from the recent Maha Kumbh, Naidu said AI-based technologies should be deployed extensively, along with the Bhashini app to provide multilingual services to devotees. He stressed strict attention to sanitation, detailed mapping of ghats, temples, vacant lands and infrastructure, and wide publicity for the festival to boost tourism.
A curtain-raiser event would also be organised as part of the build-up.
Interacting with district collectors and SPs via video conference, the CM called for developing the Godavari belt under the vision of ‘Akhanda Godavari’, while promoting nearby tourist and heritage sites.
He emphasised that the success of Pushkaralu would depend on people’s participation, urging local communities to extend warm hospitality to pilgrims.
Vedic scholars offered blessings to the chief minister ahead of the review, to which he remarked that it was his good fortune to oversee the Godavari Pushkaralu for the third time as CM.
Ministers Anam Ramnarayan Reddy, Nimmala Ramanaidu, Anagani Satyaprasad, Vangalapudi Anitha, Narayana, Vasamsetti Subhash, Kandula Durgesh, BC Janardhan Reddy, chief secretary K. Vijayanand and DGP Harish Gupta were present.
