Incomplete works to hit river fete
Vehicular movement during Godavari pushkaralu will be effected due to delay
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-09-29 04:59 GMT
Adilabad: The inordinate delay in completion of the new inter-district bridge on river Godavari connecting Gudem village in Adilabad district and Rayapatnam of Karimnagar district is likely to hit the vehicular movement that would swell up during Godavari pushkaralu scheduled to be celebrated in July, next year.The construction of the bridge with 28 pillars, which was estimated to cost Rs 50 crore, is going on at a snail’s pace and it is doubtful if it would be completed by the time of Pushkaralu.
Pushkaralu will begin from July 14, 2015 and obviously, the traffic will be more in this route at that time. People will face a lot of inconvenience if the bridge works are not complete by then.The construction of the new bridge was taken up in 2010-11and was supposed to be completed by 2013. However, the state government has extended the deadline to July, 2014 but the works are incomplete even today.
The old bridge, which is 50-year-old, is at a low-level on river Godavari and officials fear that it might get submerged in the floodwaters during Pushkaralu to be held next month due to rains and release of surplus water from Kadam dam upstream.If water ovrflows the Rayapatnam bridge and the new bridge still remains incomplete, it will affect traffic from both Adilabad and Karimnagar district and pilgrims will face inconvenience in reaching the ghat at Gudem in Dandepalli mandal. The Satyanarana Swamy temple on Gudem hill is a famous one and devotees throng the temple in large numbers during Pushkaralu.
The Pushkar ghat constructed at Gudem on the shore of river Godavari during Pushkaralau in 2003 were washed away in floodwaters. The lift irrigation project works taken up on the banks of the river also damaged the ghat. Adilabad district officials said Godavari pushkaralu will be conducted at eight places, including Gudem, from July 14 to 25, 2015.
Minister Ramanna said basic facilities like safe drinking water, toilets and Pushkar ghats will be provided for the convenience of pilgrims at the identified 8 places in Adilabad district at a cost of Rs50 crore.