Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), Feb 10 (TNT): District Collector Shan Mohan and Superintendent of Police Bindu Madhav on Tuesday said foolproof arrangements are being put in place for the upcoming Maha Sivaratri festival to ensure smooth darshan for ordinary devotees across major Saiva temples in the district.
Addressing the media at the Collectorate here, the officials said a large influx of devotees is expected at prominent shrines, particularly the Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple in Pithapuram and the Sri Chalukya Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, between February 13 and 18.
“All arrangements are being made in coordination with various departments to provide maximum facilities to devotees,” the Collector said.
Based on past experience when about 70,000 devotees visited Pithapuram last year, authorities are strengthening queue systems, drinking water supply, food distribution, bathing ghats, and sanitation.
Drinking water will be supplied only after quality testing.
For the holy bath rituals, the Padagaya Tank at Pithapuram is being filled with fresh water released from the Yeleru.
Adequate medical staff will be deployed at both Pithapuram and Samalkot to provide primary healthcare, with 108 emergency ambulances positioned at both locations.
In line with the directions of Chief Minister .Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, VIP and protocol darshans will be regulated, giving priority to ordinary devotees. “No passes will be issued for special darshans,” the officials clarified.
The Collector and SP said NDRF, fire services personnel, and trained swimmers will be on standby at both shrines. The SP added that 15 temples across the district—each expecting between 3,000 and 10,000 devotees—have been identified, with enhanced security arrangements to prevent any untoward incidents.
With peak crowds expected on February 13 and 14, drones will also be deployed to monitor and regulate queue lines and crowd movement, the SP added.
TNT TMR
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