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Now, pilgrims can heli-hop
There is happy news for well-heeled pilgrims, as they can now heli-hop to various places in Telangana to take holy bath during upcoming Godavari Pushkaralu, slated to commence from July 14. Helipad arrangements have already been made at Basar, Bhadrachalam, Dharmapuri and Kaleshwaram.
Two helicopters to fly pilgrims from Begumpet airport to Basar, Bhadrachalam, Dharmapuri and Kaleshwaram during the spiritual extravaganza
Hyderabad: There is happy news for well-heeled pilgrims, as they can now heli-hop to various places in Telangana to take holy bath during upcoming Godavari Pushkaralu, slated to commence from July 14. Helipad arrangements have already been made at Basar, Bhadrachalam, Dharmapuri and Kaleshwaram.
Elaborating the details here at the Secretariat on Wednesday, Endowments Minister Indrakaran Reddy said that two helicopters would be kept available at the Begumpet airport. Pilgrims could avail the service by booking slots in advance, he added. Meanwhile, he stated that 80 percent of preparatory works were complete until now.
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Works are going on war-footing to finish them a few days in advance before the launch date of July 14. Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao would be extending invitation to President Pranab Mukherjee in a day or two to take part in inauguration programme to be held at Dharmapuri, he added.
Commenting on the availability of river water in Pushkar Ghats, he said that majority of ghats, except at Basar, were filled with ample quantity of water. “We are expecting rains in the next few days. Maharashtra released water from Bhabli project in the last 24 hours which would increase water levels in Basar,” he said. If required, Telangana government would approach neighbouring States for release of a few TMC FT of water, he said.
Meanwhile, refuting allegations about large scale irregularities in preparatory works, he asked Telangana BJP leaders to come up with suggestions and views instead of indulging in blame game. They could lobby with Centre to ensure Rs 250-300 crore funds were allotted for Godavari Pushkaralu to help the Telangana government.
While AP was given Rs 100 crore, Telangana was allotted only Rs 50 crore, which showed Centre’s discriminatory attitude, he lamented. Meanwhile, Government Advisor KV Ramanachary stated that spiritual programmes apart from Godavari Haarathi would be conducted at various pilgrim centres all through the Godavari Pushkaralu period.
He further said that the government had finalised rates to be charged by priests for various prayers that pilgrims wished to perform in the holy river. These would be displayed prominently at all places to rule out any exploitation, he added.
