KCR promises to develop Alampur

Mahbubnagar/ Nalgonda: The sacred event of Krishna Pushkaralu, which coincided with ‘Sravana Sukravaram’, began in Telangana on Friday with fanfare and religious fervour. Thousands of people took a holy dip at several ghats constructed in Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda districts.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, accompanied by his family members, Cabinet Ministers and local leaders, took a holy dip at Gondimalla of Mahbubnagar district around 5.58 am amidst chanting of Vedic hymns formally marking beginning of Pushkaralu. Rao, who was at the pushkar ghat for over 30 minutes, offered ‘harathi’ and prayers. He visited Jogulamba temple and offered special prayers.

Later speaking to media, the Chief Minister promised comprehensive development of Alampur and the Jogulamba temple which is a ‘shakti peetham’.

In the united Andhra Pradesh, KCR said that the Telangana region was neglected and at that time Vijayawada was projected as the most important venue for Krishna pushkaralu and Rajahmundry for Godavari pushkaralu.

The rulers then never bothered to give prominence to Alampur where the ‘shakti peetham’ was located and never did they promote Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda districts as the important pushkar ghats.

KCR said Jogulamba temple in Alampur would be developed in consultation with the Archaeological department. Interestingly, Youth Congress leader and Alampur MLA Sampat Kumar was seen sitting beside Chief Minister.

Endowments Minister A Indrakaran Reddy and other TRS MLAs were sitting at some distance away. The Chief Minster said that Sampat Kumar had pointed out that people of Alampur constituency were facing problems as they do not have a government hospital.

Before bifurcation of the state, people from Alampur used to go to Kurnool government hospital for any major treatment but after bifurcation, they were facing some problems. In view of this, he said the government has decided to construct a 100-bed hospital at Alampur.

Of this 50 beds would be for general patients and the remaining 50 would be for maternity cases. He said the MLA also wanted a bus depot at Alampur but this would not be possible at this stage since the RTC was running in huge losses but the government would sanction mini bus depot.

He said the government had made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of the Pushkaralu and called upon the people to follow discipline and have a blessed bathing experience at pushkar ghats.

Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) is plying 1,365 special buses from various parts of the state to the bathing ghats for benefit of the pilgrims. Over 13,000 policemen have been deployed as part of security arrangements besides installing 555 CCTV cameras at the venue.

Meanwhile, thousands of pilgrims thronged the pushkar ghats in Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda districts and are taking a holy dip.

The State government also declared holidays to the nearby schools to accommodate the devotees while adequate police personnel are deployed at pushkar ghats in Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda districts.