Nellore: Gears Up for Grand Ganesh Festivities
The minister instructed officials to provide drinking water, milk, buttermilk, biscuits and other amenities at the ghat.
Nellore: Nellore is gearing up for grand Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations from September 14 to 18, with the authorities making elaborate arrangements for devotees and the immersion of idols at the Ganesh Ghat near Irukalala Parameswari temple, popularly known as Irugalamma Temple, on the NTR Necklace Road.
State endowments minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, who chaired a coordination meeting with Nellore Rural MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy, officials and members of the Vikrama Simhapuri Ganesh Utsav Samithi, directed all departments on Sunday to work in close coordination to ensure hassle-free celebrations.
With thousands of devotees expected to converge at the ghat, the minister stressed safety during the immersion.
He directed the RTO and police officials to inspect and certify heavy trollies and cranes being used for the immersion and ensure that vehicles carrying idols face no problems en route.
The minister also instructed officials to provide drinking water, milk, buttermilk, biscuits and other amenities at the ghat. A dedicated toll-free number will be established to enable devotees to report grievances.
Arrangements for sanitation, electricity, medical aid, drinking water and security will also be strengthened.
As part of the celebrations, nadaswaram concerts, Kuchipudi performances and other spiritual and cultural programmes featuring artistes from different states will be held from September 14 to 18.
On immersion day, September 18, special spiritual programmes, a Ganga aarti by Vedic scholars and dance performances will be organised, the minister said.
The minister said temporary arrangements had been made at the Ganesh Ghat this year, but steps would be taken to construct a permanent Ganesh Ghat at NTR Necklace Road by next year, with infrastructure developed to make the annual celebrations more grand.
MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy thanked the minister for his initiative and said the government and various departments were extending full cooperation for this year's festivities.
He said Rs. 45 lakh had been spent through the Municipal Corporation and Rs. 15 lakh through NUDA, totalling Rs. 60 lakh, on infrastructure and other arrangements at the ghat.
He assured that a permanent Ganesh Ghat would be developed by next year and appealed to devotees to participate in the celebrations with their families.
Municipal commissioner Y.O. Nandan, TD state spokesperson Kotamreddy Giridhar Reddy, local representatives, officials and members of the Vikrama Simhapuri Ganesh Utsav Committee attended the meeting.
