Latest news with #PilgrimageRejuvenationandSpiritualAugmentationDrive
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
PM Modi chairs meeting to review progress in tourism sector
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (May 20, 2025) chaired a key meeting in New Delhi to review the progress of work in the country's tourism sector, officials said. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, his deputy in the Tourism Ministry Suresh Gopi, Union Tourism Secretary V. Vidyavathi and top PMO officials attended the meeting. "The Prime Minister chaired a meeting today to review the progress of work in the tourism sector," a senior official said. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) also shared a short video on its YouTube page. "Attended the review meeting chaired by honourable PM Shri @narendramodi to assess the progress in the #Tourism sector. His visionary leadership is the guiding force for all our efforts in making Bharat a top global tourist destination," Mr. Shekhawat posted on X. Several senior officials of the Tourism Ministry also attended the meeting which lasted over an hour, a source in the Union Tourism Minister's office said. It is learnt that besides touching on the broader contours of the tourism sector, two flagship schemes of the Ministry — PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) and Swadesh Darshan — were also discussed.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Simhachalam temple wall was built hastily, admits contractor
Visakhapatnam: The contractor, who built the ill-fated wall that collapsed killing seven devotees in Simhachalam temple, has acknowledged before the three-member committee that the structure was constructed hastily without proper design, following persistent requests from endowments and tourism engineers for the annual Chandanotsavam. During its 10-hour inquiry, the committee initially observed that the wall's construction violated the master plan and lacked necessary permissions. It may be noted that seven devotees lost their lives and one person was injured when the wall collapsed early on Wednesday during Chandanotsavam, following heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds. The committee, comprising MA&UD principal secretary Suresh Kumar, irrigation department engineer-in-chief Venkateswara Rao, and IG rank IPS officer Ake Ravikrishna, inspected the site and found that the wall's construction violated the master plan and lacked necessary permissions. The renovation of the temple under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme, contracted to M/s K Ananta Rao and Co Company, remains incomplete despite a May 2024 deadline. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How can a 3-month-old get cancer? Please help! Give Hope India Donate Now Undo The committee expressed displeasure towards the temple's executive officer Subba Rao, executive engineer Srinivasa Raju, and tourism department engineer. During the probe, the contractor, Lakshman Rao, stated that both departments requested a temporary wall for queue management. While the engineers claimed non-involvement in the construction work, the contractor disclosed their presence from the second day of the four-day construction period. The committee investigated whether officials followed proper documentation, including notes, work orders, and meeting minutes. They also enquired about the implementation of the recommendations made by the PRASAD scheme committee. Suresh Kumar informed the media about their decision to re-examine the incident. He noted the retaining wall's collapse appeared to be linked to structural quality issues. "We will focus on works in the temple, whether they were constructed by following the master plan or not. We will submit a preliminary report based on the inquiry to the govt. A comprehensive report with failures and loopholes will be submitted in 30 days. We will inquire about the people involved in the works," he said.
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Andhra temple wall collapse: Construction done in haste for Chandanotsavam, sources say
VISAKHAPATNAM: The tragic incident at the Simhachalam temple during the annual Chandanotsavam on Wednesday, has sparked widespread public anger and criticism. A The wall, reportedly built just five days prior to the annual festival, gave way following a spell of moderate rain. Thousands of devotees had gathered at the hilltop temple for 'Nijaroopa Darshanam' of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. Families of the victims and eyewitnesses alleged serious negligence in the construction, and oversight of festival arrangements. The structure was part of the ongoing PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) Scheme, for which the Ministry of Tourism had sanctioned `54.04 crore in December 2022 for development works at Simhachalam Devasthanam. The project is being executed by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. Tourism Regional Director Subramanyam confirmed that tenders had been called for the works by the Tourism Department, but declined to disclose the contractor's name. However, sources claimed that the contract was awarded to a firm named K Anantha Rao and Co, based in Srikakulam. 'The wall in question was reportedly constructed in haste five days ago, and was asked to be completed before Chandanotsavam,' sources claimed. Outside the King George Hospital mortuary in Visakhapatnam, grieving families of the victims demanded accountability from politicians, officials, and the temple authorities. 'This was not a case of torrential rain. Water runoff from the hilltop seems to have undermined the weak foundation of the wall,' family members of the deceased alleged. 'We demand permanent government jobs, not outsourcing, and `1 crore ex gratia for each victim. The government cannot brush off its negligence with mere announcements,' they said. They further questioned the role of ministers who were reportedly assigned to oversee Chandanotsavam arrangements. 'How did they miss inspecting a newly constructed wall? What kind of oversight was this?' asked devotees waiting in the queue after the untoward incident. Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, who was at the site since morning, told the media, 'I have personally inspected the queue lines two to three days ago. The incident is extremely unfortunate. An inquiry will be conducted to identify the contractor, engineer, and quality evaluator involved in the wall construction. All those responsible will be held accountable.' Anitha stated that despite all precautions taken by the temple authorities, the tragedy still occurred. 'A three-member committee has already been formed to probe the reasons behind the accident. Once the committee submits its report, legal action will be taken against those found responsible for negligence,' she added.
