Latest news with #Pushkaralu
Hans India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Over 8 cr devotees expected to participate
Rajamahendravaram: The 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu is expected to draw an unprecedented crowd of around 8 crore pilgrims, turning the Rajamahendravaram and Kovvur regions into spiritual hubs for 12 days. Authorities estimate a daily footfall of about 65 lakh people, significantly higher than the previous Pushkaralu in ensure smooth and safe management of such massive crowds, the government has decided to begin planning and development works well in advance. Drawing inspiration from the successful use of AI technology at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Andhra Pradesh will now deploy Artificial Intelligence-powered surveillance systems at major bathing to officials, AI cameras will be installed to monitor real-time movements of pilgrims, detect crowd surges, and instantly alert a dedicated special control room. This data will be relayed to departments like Revenue, Police, and Disaster Management, helping them make quick, informed decisions. Around 150 advanced AI-enabled cameras are likely to be installed across key ghats in Rajamahendravaram alone. Authorities plan to accommodate about four devotees per square meter at the ghats. A total of 60 major bathing ghats have been identified in Rajamahendravaram and Kovvur. Bathing will be permitted from 4 am to 10 pm during the Pushkaralu days, and arrangements are being made to enable around 3.5 lakh people to take a dip every hour. The tragic stampede in 2015, which claimed 27 lives, has prompted the government to ensure foolproof crowd control mechanisms this time. The Centre is also expected to play a significant role in organising the event, as the BJP is a coalition partner in the state government. The central intelligence agencies have already sought detailed reports on the planning and preparedness for the Pushkaralu, including crowd estimates and infrastructure readiness. District Collector and Municipal Commissioner P Prasanthi, who is overseeing the planning, is focusing on implementing a robust action plan to prevent any untoward incidents. Officials say the goal is to place every pilgrim under seamless surveillance from the time they enter a ghat till they leave, using AI as a key tool to ensure safety, discipline, and devotion.
Hans India
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat lays stone for Akhanda Godavari Project
Union Minister Gajendra singh Shekhawat, alongside Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, has laid the foundation stone for the Akhanda Godavari Project at Pushkara Ghat in Rajamahendravaram. The event was also attended by Andhra Pradesh Minister Kandula Durgesh and Member of Parliament Purandeshwari. The ambitious project, estimated to cost ₹94.44 crores, aims to enhance the historical city's appeal and develop the surrounding areas to attract foreign tourists. It is expected to be completed by the time of the upcoming Pushkaralu festival, further promoting Rajamahendravaram as a key tourist destination.
Hans India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
AP sports policy among the best in country: SAAP chairman
Rajamahendravaram: Andhra Pradesh has introduced one of the best sports policies in the country, thanks to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's strong commitment to the development of sports, said Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) Chairman Ravi Naidu. Inaugurating the Godavari Pushkaralu Indoor Sports Complex at Venkataramaiah Nagar in the second division on Wednesday, he said that Andhra Pradesh's sports policy goes beyond those of other Indian states. Foundation stones were laid for 142 development projects and inauguration ceremonies were held for 19 works, totalling Rs 58.41 crore in investments. Speaking at the public gathering, Ravi Naidu stated that the new policy includes a comprehensive plan to promote sports from the grassroots level. The reservation quota for sportspersons in government jobs has been increased from 2% to 3%, and Olympic gold medalists will now be rewarded with Rs 7 crore and a Group 1 government job. In the latest DSC notification, 421 posts have been reserved under the sports quota, Naidu said. He also mentioned that athletes achieving success at the state and national levels are being given significant support by the government. Expressing his delight over the inauguration of the Indoor Sports Complex, he said that after Tirupati, Rajamahendravaram is the only city in the state to offer rifle shooting facilities. Plans are underway to introduce water sports shortly as well. Municipal Commissioner Ketan Garg said the government is giving priority to sports and is providing the necessary infrastructure to support athletes. He also stated that 25 parks are being beautifully developed, and efforts are being made to improve 20 traffic junctions across the city. Rajamahendravaram City MLA Adireddy Srinivas said that the government aims to transform the city into a major sports hub. The Godavari Pushkaralu Indoor Sports Complex will stand as a milestonein the city's history, created not just to offer basic amenities to pilgrims during Pushkaralu, but also to promote sports, he added. The complex was built with a total budget of Rs 3.41 crore, Rs 1.91 crore from municipal general funds, and Rs 1.5 crore from SAAP funds. It includes facilities for carroms, chess, table tennis, shooting, snooker, billiards, and a gym. It is expected to generate an annual revenue of Rs 10 lakh for the municipal corporation. MLA added that under the Khelo India initiative, a multi-purpose sports complex worth Rs 50 crore is being planned at the city's lorry stand area. Speaking on the occasion, MLC Somu Veerraju described Khelo India as a remarkable initiative aimed at identifying and nurturing sports talent. He said the objective is to enable Indian athletes to make their mark on the global sporting stage by providing the necessary facilities and encouragement. AP Settibalija Corporation Chairman Kudupudi Sattibabu, Ex-Corporator Varre Srinivas, JSP leader Y Srinivas, SE (Engineering) M Ch Koteswara Rao, Executive Engineers P Rita and Madhavi, CMM Ramalakshmi, and other municipal officials and staff participated.
Hans India
28-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Surekha elated over successful conduct of Saraswati Pushkaralu
Hyderabad: Endowments Minister Konda Surekha on Tuesday expressed happiness on the successful completion of Saraswati Pushkaralu. The Minister in a message said, 'I am very happy that the Saraswati Pushkaras were successful. The first Pushkaralu after the formation of Telangana was held wonderfully. Close to 30 lakh devotees took holy dips and had darshan of the Kaleshwara Mukteeshwara Swamy. Thank you all the departmental officials, local people and devotees who supported this. We wish to celebrate the upcoming Godavari Pushkaralu in a grand manner,' said Surekha, offering a special thanks to the Minister D Sridhar Babu, local officials and the Endowment Department who worked hard to make these Pushkaralu a success.
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Hans India
Over 23 lakh took holy dip during Saraswati Pushkaralu
Hyderabad: Over 23 lakh people had a sacred bath during the Saraswati Pushkaralu, which ended on Monday at Kaleshwaram in Bhupalpally disrtict. More than one lakh people had a bath at the Triveni Sangam in Kaleshwaram on each of the 12 days with pilgrim rush peaking during the weekends. Endowment department officials and others heaved a sigh of relief as the event passed off without any untoward incident. The state government had put in place massive arrangements to ensure the success of the Pushkaralu. To bring it on par with the Kumbh Mela, the government allocated Rs 35 crore exclusively for the event. Incidentally, a team of officials, led by Secretary Shailaja Ramaiyar, had visited Prayagraj for a first-hand feel of the arrangements. This helped the state administration to come up with a meticulous planning, said a senior official from the endowments department. The official said that Pushkaralu started on a grand note with around one lakh taking a bath on the first day on May 15. The rush of pilgrims increased thereafter with the weekends drawing two to 3.5 lakh people. There was a traffic jam of over 20 km on the weekends. The official said that the Harati program on the banks of the river was a major attraction during the Pushkaralu. Artists from Kashi were specifically roped in for the Harati program, which was watched by around 47,000, including Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. Meanwhile, the pilgrims also visited the Sri Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy temple. Approximately, 2.68 lakh laddus were distributed by the temple authorities, who also arranged for medical camps, which was taken advantage of by around 80, 000 people. The official informed that among the other works, sanitation and hygiene were given priority. Over 950 sanitation workers were deployed for cleaning the premises near the river, while about 33 NDRF and 66 SDRF personnel, 100 swimmers and 35 Singareni rescue team personnel were also deployed at the bathing ghats to prevent instances of drowning. Also manning the area were around 1600 police personnel.
