Less water poses big problem at many ghats in Telangana

 

With the Pushkaralu only six days away, this has become a major problem at many ghats as the water levels are not sufficient to bathe. At present, pilgrims are forced to go into deeper water to take a dip. 

Irrigation department officials say that there is only 55,000 cusecs of water in Godavari and the ghats downstream are facing water shortage.

 

Pilgrims have to walk 100 to 150 meters from the ghats, over mud and sand, to take a holy dip. In fact at Kundaleswaram ghat in Katrenikona Mandal, the mud makes it impossible for one to take a dip. Nearly 20 out of 294 ghats in East and West Godavari districts are facing water shortage. “The water levels in the upstream are better, however, the levels are very low downstream of Godavari,” said executive engineer of headworks in Irrigation department, P.V. Tirupathi Rao.

 

West Godavari district collector K. Bhaskar has instructed Panchayat officials to make lighting arrangements for the convenience of pilgrims who will take their holy dips at night.

 

Meanwhile, the government has decided to distribute 2 lakh water packets per day for pilgrims. Self Help Groups in East and West Godavari districts are making 4 lakh Pushkara kits such as bananas, coconuts, camphor, turmeric, Pinda Pradanam packets, bangles etc. “We want to curb private traders selling Pushkara things at the ghats and the District Mahila Samakhya members will supply the kits at cheaper rates than private traders,” said Mr DRDA project director S. Mallibabu.

 

Meanwhile, the Tourism Department is organising various festivals such as sky lantern festivals, food festivals, sand art festivals etc. The Cultural department will organise dance and other programmes.