Arrangements for the Krishna Pushkaram scheduled to be held in August next year have set in motion as Krishna district administration has expedited the works pertaining to construction of new ghats and repairs to existing ones that are in dilapidated condition.

With Vijayawada to be the main venue for the festival, the government is planning a grand event. The turnout for the pushkaram is expected to be far more than what it was during the last pushkaram conducted in 2004, according to officials.

A few days ago, Krishna Collector Babu A. conducted a review meeting with officials from Irrigation, Roads and Buildings, National Highways Authority of India (NHIA), Transco, Police, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation and Revenue Departments and asked them to submit proposals for taking up works on a priority basis.

Officials said that the expenditure for the pushkaram was pegged at Rs.1,000 crore. Senior officials from the Irrigation, Roads and Buildings and Revenue Departments have submitted estimates of the works to be done in their purview to the district administration on Wednesday.

In all probability, works will begin after completion of relinquishment of Bhavani deekshas from December 31 to January 4.

A senior official said plans have been drawn up to construct ghats upstream of Krishna barrage starting from Ferry near Ibrahimpatnam to Durga Ghat at Sri Kanaka Durga Temple covering 13 km. Thirty ghats from barrage downstream to Avanigadda, including right and left flood banks at Divi Island covering 60 km have also been planned, he explained.

“We have submitted estimates for construction of ghats on Wednesday. Once we get approval and funds, works will commence soon,” he said. Another senior official said the administration would take assistance from officials of East and West Godavari districts to ensure proper crowd management and prevent stampede that happened at bathing ghats on the very first day of Godavari Maha Pushkaram, which claimed the lives of at least 27 people in July.

Priority would be given to crowd management as a large number of devotees would gather to have a holy dip in the Krishna River which is considered sacred by Hindus. Various pujas and rituals would also be performed, according to officials.

They said Krishna pushkaram held in August 2004 drew lakhs of pilgrims.

We have submitted estimates for construction of ghats on Wednesday. Once we get approval and funds, works will begin