The East Coast Railway is gearing up for the upcoming river festival of Krishna Pushkarulu as it has planned to run five special trains just for the festival, daily from Vizag to Vijayawada.
The Deccan Chronicle reported:
In an effort to make ticketing hassle-free, additional booking counters would be opened before two days of the festival. To ensure availability of enough food, pure water and hygienic conditions in the canteens in the trains and stations, special inspectors would be deployed to keep vigil. Three round-the-clock helpdesk numbers—138,139 and 182 would guide and assist people to Pushkarams.
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government continued making arrangements for the festival.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday inspected various ghats where a crowd is expected and asked all works to be wrapped up by July 1 at the latest.
“A final review would be done on August 1 and nobody would be spared including officials and contractors if the works are delayed and if any work is of poor quality. Sufficient staff should be deputed at all ghats and also mobile medical teams along with ambulances should kept ready closer to the ghats," he was quoted as saying.
The Hindu reported:
Naidu said the result was dismal with less than 50 per cent work being completed in all the departments concerned despite seven review meetings being held till date. The Chief Minister warned of disciplinary action against the service providers and departmental heads as well as secretaries and it would remain a stigma in their career record
'Krishna Pushkaralu' is a festival of River Krishna which is usually held once in 12 years. The event is observed for a period of 12 days from the time of entry of Jupiter into Virgo.
This year, the festival, which attracts lakhs of devotees from all over Andhra Pradesh and other states, will be held between August 12 to 24 in Krishna, Guntur and Kurnool districts.
The Andhra Pradesh police will also use drones to help them with surveillance.
Despite the state facing a severe cash crunch, the TDP government has already earmarked Rs 1080 crore for the festival.