Godavari Pushkaralu to test Telangana State finances

Hyderabad: Organising the first Godavari Pushkaralu in Telangana is becoming a big challenge for the Telangana government. The endowments department has estimated a budget of Rs 600 to Rs 650 crore to conduct the event on a grand scale in July 2015.

Unconvinced by the  figures,  the government has  asked for revised estimates  from the concerned district collectors in the  hope that it may be reduced to less than Rs 400 crore.

Officials argue that none of the temples or bathing ghats in TS are in any condition to meet the heavy rush of pilgrims expected to descend for the event.

A major chunk of the funds will have to be spent on restoration and renovation leaving little funds for providing basic facilities at temples and bathing ghats.

Faced with severe financial constraints, the government is planning to seek financial assistance from the Centre for the mega event. Moreover, the TS government has decided to compete with AP government in  making elaborate arrangements for the event and project TS as the ideal location for celebrating Pushkaralu.

"The Seemandhra government in undivided state projected the impression in all these years that Pushkaralu is related  only to Andhra and that the people should take a dip only at Rajahmundry, Vijayawada etc. But they conveniently forgot  the fact that Godavari enters Telangana at Basar and passes through various districts before ending at Bhadrachalam. We want to project Telangana as the perfect  location to take part in Pushkaralu this time by undertaking various programmes in across the country and  abroad, in order to reach out to people. We have planned the first Pushkaralu in TS along the lines of the Kumbh Mela," said Mr A.Indrakaran Reddy,  minister for endowments.

However, he admitted that  mobilizing hundreds of crores for the event remains a major concern for the TS government. He hope that the Centre will  provide financial assistance for the event. The government will send  concrete proposals to the Centre.

"Mobilizing nearly Rs 600 crore is a huge task for Telangana. However, we are taking it up  as a challenge. The Chief Minister has asked us to explore all options  but not compromise on making the event a grand success by making fool-proof arrangements for pilgrims," Mr Reddy added.