Godavari Pushkarams from next July 14

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Endowment’s Minister P Manikyala Rao informed that the Godavari Pushkarams -2015 would begin on July 14 and end on July 25.

Speaking at a press conference here on Friday, after a cabinet sub-committee review meeting on Godavari Pushkarams held here, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be invited to launch the occasion. A Purna Harathi to River Godavari would be offered for 12 days of Pushkarams.

He further stated that the government has decided to take up several works like giving a facelift to the nearly 326 temples along the River Godavari, besides creating basic amenities at these places for pilgrims.

A total of 254 river ghats would be developed along with carrying out development works at the existing ghats.
Manikyala Rao said nearly four to five crore pilgrims were expected to turn up for the Godavari Pushkarams, for which elaborate arrangements would be done. For this, works with an estimated cost of Rs 900 crore were planned. Out of this, Rs 600 crore has been sought as assistance from the Central government and the State government would foot development works of Rs 300 crore, he added. On its part, the endowment department has already decided to spend Rs 30 crore for the occasion. About 12 departments like irrigation, sanitation, Panchayat Raj, medical health, municipal and others involved in smooth conduct of the Pushkarams have been asked to submit their proposals by December for taking up the development works. Creating basic amenities and other developmental works would be taken up. All the works would be taken up on war footing to ensure their timely completion.

Earlier, Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas, Labour and Endowment’s Minister P Manikyala Rao had held a review meeting with the officials on the preparations for Godavari Pushkarams.