Organize Bonalu festival on spectacular note, Ponnam asks officials

Reviewing the arrangements to be made for the festivities at Sri Balkampet Yellamma temple, he said the State government has already sanctioned Rs.20 crore for the successful conduct of the festival in twin cities. He also reviewed the arrangements to be made for the ‘Kalyanostavam’ of Goddess Sri Yellamma in Balkampet from July 8 to 10.

As the State government is providing free bus facility under ‘Maha Laxmi’ scheme, a large number of devotees are expected to visit the temple to seek blessings of the Goddess Sri Yellamma. Accordingly, the departments concerned must make arrangements for the convenience of devotees, Prabhakar said.

Owing to the height of barricades, devotees faced several problems earlier and keeping in view the previous year’s experience officials must reduce the size and ensure hassle-free darshan to devotees. Surveillance cameras must also be installed covering the entire temple premises and its surroundings to keep a constant vigil on those moving suspiciously, he said.

When the police department brought to the notice of the Minister about the problems on issuing VIP passes in large numbers, the Minister asked Endowments department officials to restrict the number of VIP passes and advised to focus more on amenities, especially drinking water to be provided to devotees.

At the same time, priority must be given to the safety of women visiting the temple and SHE teams should be deployed in adequate numbers to keep a tab on eve-teasers. Round-the-clock power supply must be ensured and the traffic police must take necessary steps to prevent chaos near the temple and its adjoining areas, the Minister said, asking officials to work in coordination for the successful conduct of the festival.