D. Sridhar Babu
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL
IT and Industries Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu has stressed the need to turn Kaleshwaram into a premier pilgrimage hub in the country by creating world class infrastructure at the Mukteshwara Temple and the Pushkar Ghats along the Godavari River in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district.
Addressing a review meeting at the Secretariat here on Saturday, the Minister outlined the preparations for the Saraswati Antarvahini Pushkaralu, slated to take place from May 15 to May 26. With a budget of ₹25 crore allocated for the project, Mr. Sridhar Babu directed officials to focus on permanent and visually appealing infrastructure, including the modernization of bathing ghats, improved sanitation facilities and better connectivity, ensuring long-term benefits for devotees.
The Saraswati Pushkaralu, held exclusively at the sacred confluence of the Godavari and Pranahita rivers with the subterranean Saraswati stream in Kaleshwaram, is a unique and ancient spiritual event. To enhance the experience for pilgrims, the proposed development works include upgrading bathing ghats with modern amenities to ensure safety and convenience, widening and repairing roads for enhanced access, constructing an underground drainage system for efficient waste management and installing a Saraswati statue to add to the spiritual ambience.
Additionally, the Minister instructed officials to prepare helipads to facilitate helicopter rides for pilgrims, reflecting his vision to make Kaleshwaram a year-round destination for devotees from Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. He suggested setting up a specialised team to oversee the festival arrangements to ensure smooth execution.
Mr. Sridhar Babu also stressed for collaboration among various departments, including Endowments, Irrigation, Roads and Buildings, Panchayati Raj, Revenue, Tourism, TRANSCO, and TGRTC. He encouraged hiring reputed consultancy firms to ensure high-quality project implementation. The Minister further emphasized the execution of the Kumbhabhishekam rituals, scheduled from February 7 to February 19, as part of the broader preparations for the festival. These rituals, along with the infrastructural upgrades, aim to enhance Kaleshwaram’s appeal as a spiritual and cultural beacon.
Principal Secretary (Endowments) Shailaja Ramaiyer, Bhupalpally District Collector Rahul Sharma, Endowments Commissioner E. Sridhar, Joint Commissioner Ramakrishna Rao, SE Durga Prasad, Tourism MD N. Prakash Reddy and other senior officials participated in the review meeting.
Published – January 11, 2025 07:50 pm IST