AP CM upbeat over smooth conduct of fete

​Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is in high spirits looking forward to the successful completion of the ongoing Krishna Pushkaralu. Smooth completion of the first half (six days) of the 12-day event, barring stray incidents, seems to have placed him in comfortable position.

Added to the successful completion of the first half, the Chief Minister received a word of praise from Governor E S L Narasimhan, Supreme Court Judge Justice N V Ramana and Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, who visited the city and had a holy dip in the river. The Governor gave a pat on the back praising him for the arrangements for the event, while Justice Ramana and Dattatreya complimented him for the good work.

They all appreciated his vision and planning with regard to issues like traffic, spacious bathing ghats and the cleanliness arrangements at the ghats. The plan of satellite bus stations and operating Pushkaralu special bus services from every satellite bus station to the ghats and pushkar nagars drew praise from them. The intervention of the TTD and the Akshayapatra Foundation to feed the pilgrims brought a special appreciation to Naidu from the Governor and others.

Riding high on the success, the Chief Minister told the rank and file of his administration to continue to work with the same spirit for the next six days. He complimented the good work being done by Ministers, legislators, senior officers of all

departments, volunteers, representatives of the non-governmental organisations and the sanitation staff and wanted them to move on with the same dedication and enthusiasm. Naidu, who was taken aback by the two incidents – the drowning death of a six-year old child in Padmavathi Ghat on the first day and the death of five students at Nandigama on Tuesday – recouped on Wednesday and intensified security at the official as well unofficial ghats.

He also directed the officials to keep a strict vigil along the river to prevent entry of lonely children into the ghats and enthusiastic youth getting into the river at places other than designated bathing ghats. Ironically, it was one of such places where that the five youth drowned on Tuesday.

“We have successfully completed the first half and won the confidence of the pilgrims. I congratulate every person involved in this holy activity connecting people with nature. Let us continue to serve the pilgrims for the next half,” the Chief Minister told the Pushkaralu staff at the Command and Control Center here on Wednesday.