Utilise the allocated Rs.25 crore efficiently for modernisation efforts, including upgrading bathing ghats, enhancing sanitation facilities, and creating enduring landmarks. -Duddilla Sridhar Babu, IT Minister

metro india news  I hyderabad

Minister for IT and Industries Duddilla Sridhar Babu has directed officials to transform Kaleshwaram in Bhupalpally district into a premier pilgrimage destination.

He emphasised the development of world-class infrastructure at the Mukteshwara temple and Pushkar Ghats along the Godavari river, aiming to elevate the site’s stature to match iconic spiritual hubs like Kashi, Haridwar, and Prayagraj.

During a high-level review meeting held at the Secretariat here on Saturday, the Minister discussed arrangements for the Saraswati Antarvahini Pushkaralu, scheduled from May 15 to 26.

He stressed the importance of permanent and aesthetically appealing infrastructure that combines modern amenities with cultural significance, rather than relying on temporary arrangements.

Sridhar Babu highlighted that the Saraswati Pushkaralu, a festival celebrated exclusively at Kaleshwaram’s sacred confluence where the Godavari and Pranahita rivers meet the subterranean Saraswati stream, is unparalleled in its spiritual significance.

He urged officials to utilise the allocated Rs.25 crore efficiently for modernisation efforts, including upgrading bathing ghats, enhancing sanitation facilities, and creating enduring landmarks.

The Minister directed that the bathing ghats should be modernised with state-of-the-art amenities to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for pilgrims.

Infrastructure upgrades should include expanding and repairing access roads to the site, constructing a comprehensive underground drainage system, and expediting the installation of a Saraswati statue as a centerpiece of cultural significance, he said.

The Minister instructed the formation of a dedicated task force to oversee the planning and execution of all arrangements for the festival. Helipads should be prepared to facilitate helicopter rides, offering pilgrims a unique aerial view of the sacred confluence.

Furthermore, he stressed the need to develop facilities that attract devotees throughout the year, making Kaleshwaram a renowned pilgrimage and cultural destination for visitors from Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra, Sridhar Babu said.

The Minister emphasised engaging renowned consultancy firms to ensure top-tier planning and execution of the projects.

He called for coordinated efforts between the departments of Endowments, Irrigation, Roads and Buildings, Panchayati Raj, Revenue, Tourism, TRANSCO, and RTC to ensure seamless execution. Sridhar Babu expressed his vision of transforming Kaleshwaram into a beacon of spiritual and cultural significance.

By combining meticulous planning with world-class infrastructure, it should be provided a memorable and enriching experience for devotees during the Pushkaralu and establish Kaleshwaram as a premier pilgrimage destination for years to come, he added. (NSS)