Devotee convenience, safety top priority: Minister Satya Kumar

Vijayawada: A high-level coordination meeting was held at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on Monday to review arrangements for Sri Parabhava Nama Samvatsara Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities-2026, scheduled to be held from October 11 to 20.

District in-charge Minister and Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav chaired the meeting at Mallikarjuna Maha Mandapam atop Indrakeeladri. He reviewed various arrangements, including infrastructure, darshan facilities, crowd management, security, traffic and sanitation.

Speaking on the occasion, Satya Kumar Yadav said the convenience of devotees would be the top priority and their safety the foremost responsibility. He said more than 25 lakh devotees were expected to visit the temple during Dasara festivities and for Bhavani Deeksha relinquishment.

He said comprehensive plans had been prepared by coordinating ghat roads, parking areas and darshan routes. Shelters, drinking water and seating arrangements would be provided along queue lines, while LED and digital screens would display the approximate waiting time for darshan.

He said modern prasadam preparation facilities and spacious annadanam buildings would ensure an uninterrupted supply of hygienic food to devotees. Around 60 lakh laddus were being prepared to meet the demand during the festivities.

Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni) said arrangements were being made to ensure that every ordinary devotee could have a smooth and satisfactory darshan. In view of environmental concerns, clean drinking water would be supplied through eco-friendly ‘bubbles’. Special centres would also provide hot milk and biscuits to mothers with infants waiting in queue lines.

MLC Varla Ramaiah said Dasara was a festival for all devotees and stressed that priority should be given to ordinary devotees without any VIP culture. He urged officials to ensure quick darshan without making devotees wait for hours.

Endowments Commissioner K Ramachandra Mohan directed officials to prevent unnecessary movement of departmental personnel on the hill during the festivities, as it could create congestion at sensitive locations. He said special measures were being taken to avoid a repeat of the crowding witnessed on Moola Nakshatram day in the past.

District Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhar Babu said elaborate security arrangements would be made, with AI cameras, CCTV surveillance and a dedicated control room providing round-the-clock monitoring. A comprehensive traffic plan would be implemented, with parking facilities arranged at major junctions and city outskirts. Free shuttle buses would operate between the parking areas and the temple.

Joint Collector S Ilakkiya said duties had been allotted to officials and staff of all departments. Round-the-clock medical camps, first-aid centres and ambulances would be kept ready at ghat roads, queue lines and other key locations.

The meeting also reviewed digital services, arjitha sevas, sanitation and the daily Nagarotsavam. Devotees can book arjitha seva tickets through the Endowments Department’s official website and the ‘Mana Mitra’ WhatsApp number 9552300009. Nagarotsavam will be conducted every day at 4 pm from the Sri Malleswara Swamy temple through the city streets.

GPS-based sanitation monitoring, additional sanitation staff, digital kiosks and a command control room will be used to maintain cleanliness and address devotees’ grievances promptly.

Temple Trust Board Chairman Borra Radhakrishna (Gandhi), Vijayawada Municipal Corporation Commissioner HM Dhyanachandra, DCP G Ramakrishna, Temple Executive Officer VK Seena Naik and senior officials from various departments attended the meeting.

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The Hans India