Warangal: Making Inavolu jatara safe, a big challenge

Warangal: With the three-month-long jatara at the historic Mallikarjuna Swamy temple at Inavolu is approaching fast, Warangal Urban district administration is on a mission to ensure arrangements. Minister for Panchayat Raj Errabelli Dayakar Rao, who offered prayers in the temple on Saturday, reviewed the jatara arrangements with the priests and the officials. The main village fair will be held from January 13 to 15. He directed the temple officials to make proper arrangements especially keeping the prevalence of Covid-19 in mind for the jatara which will last till mid-March. The minister stressed the need for ensuring toilets, tents, accommodation, washrooms, changing rooms, queues, electricity and CCTV camera surveillance. He told the officials to arrange separate amenities for women.

Referring to the security of the devotees, he directed the officials to ensure fool-proof arrangements to avoid any untoward incident. The minister, who discussed with the senior officials of the respective departments, told them to work in tandem to make the jatara a huge success.

Referring to the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority (KUDA)'s initiative to construct the bathrooms on a permanent basis with an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore at the temple village, Errabelli lauded its Chairman Marri Yadava Reddy for the gesture.

He also appreciated Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation Mayor Gunda Prakash Rao for coming forward to spray sodium hypochlorite solution 24X7 on the temple premises during the jatara. Errabelli directed the officials to implement the Covid-19 protocol such as physical distancing and wearing of masks strictly during the jatara. "No devotee is allowed to enter the temple premises without a mask," the minister asserted.

Meanwhile, the TSRTC has decided to run 25 additional buses to Inavolu from various destinations for the convenience of the devotees. The minister directed the officials to take up the repair of roads with immediate effect. He also told them to ensure uninterrupted power supply, presence of fire engines and healthcare facilities. Mayor Gunda Prakash Rao, MLA Aroori Ramesh, KUDA Chairman Marri Yadava Reddy, DCCB Chairman Marneni Ravinder Rao and District Collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu were among others present.