1. CM Revanth Reddy orders temple-centric development, permanent Pushkar ghats along 560 km river stretch.
2. Infrastructure to manage daily inflow of two lakh pilgrims with improved roads, safe bathing ghats, drinking water, sanitation, parking, and accommodation facilities.
3. Special central package to be sought; expert agencies and consultancies to design facilities.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed officials to prepare comprehensive plans to transform the upcoming Godavari Pushkaralu in 2027 into a grand spiritual congregation on par with the Kumbh Mela of North India. He emphasized that permanent infrastructure must be created along the riverbanks to ensure seamless facilities for millions of pilgrims who are expected to participate in what he termed as the “South Indian Kumbh Mela.”

Chairing a review meeting at the Command Control Centre on Friday, the Chief Minister instructed officials to draw up advance blueprints and execute development works along the 560-km stretch of the Godavari flowing through Telangana. With the Pushkaralu scheduled to begin on July 23, 2027, he noted that nearly 22 months remain for preparations, which must focus on long-lasting facilities rather than temporary arrangements.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that around 74 Pushkar ghats need to be established across Telangana. Revanth Reddy directed that priority be given to major temples along the Godavari—including Basara, Dharmapuri, Kaleshwaram, and Bhadrachalam—where pilgrim inflows are the highest. He stressed that permanent ghats and temple-centric infrastructure must be developed first, followed by facilities across the riverbanks to accommodate mass bathing rituals.

The Chief Minister underlined that the arrangements should anticipate heavy pilgrim turnout, with infrastructure capable of handling at least two lakh visitors per day without congestion. Plans should cover roads, traffic management, parking facilities, drinking water, accommodation, and sanitation. He instructed temple committees and local officials to jointly prepare site-specific development plans after on-ground inspections.

Learning from the scale of the Maha Kumbh Mela and Pushkaralu in other states, Revanth Reddy called for engaging experienced consultants and agencies to design pilgrim facilities. 

He asked for separate project reports for each temple town along the river stretch and designs tailored to local conditions. The Chief Minister also directed officials to align the projects with Central government-sponsored schemes like Swachh Bharat and Jal Jeevan Mission and to prepare proposals for a special central package considering the magnitude of pilgrim inflows. Departments of Endowments, Irrigation, and Tourism were asked to work in close coordination, supported by expert agencies. Revanth Reddy stressed that transforming Godavari Pushkaralu into the “South Kumbh Mela” would not only enhance the spiritual and cultural identity of Telangana but also leave behind lasting infrastructure for future generations of devotees.

The review meeting was attended by Endowments Minister Konda Surekha, CM advisor Vem Narender Reddy, Endowments Principal Secretary Shailaja Ramaiyer, and senior officials.