Godavari region set for major development ahead of Pushkarams

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Panchayat Raj Minister Pawan Kalyan has sanctioned an additional Rs.100 crore for infrastructure development in villages along the Godavari river basin ahead of the Godavari Pushkarams. The initiatives are being undertaken under the theme ‘Swachh Godavari – Pavitra Pushkaralu’, with a focus on improving rural connectivity, drinking water facilities and amenities for pilgrims. Of the newly sanctioned funds, Rs.90 crore from Panchayat Raj resources will be utilised for 111 road development works across seven Assembly constituencies in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, West Godavari and Polavaram regions.

The works will cover nearly 141 km of CC and BT roads, particularly routes connecting villages with Pushkar ghats. Internal village roads will also be upgraded wherever necessary. An additional Rs.10 crore from the Rural Water Supply (RWS) department will be used to provide safe drinking water to pilgrims. Arrangements are being made to ensure protected drinking water facilities at every Pushkar ghat. These allocations are in addition to the Rs.100 crore already sanctioned through the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) for development works in the Godavari basin.

The road and water infrastructure will benefit villages and pilgrimage routes covering Rajolu, P. Gannavaram, Ramachandrapuram, Rampachodavaram, Achanta, Narasapur and Palakollu constituencies. The objective is to ensure that the Pushkar celebrations extend beyond major centres such as Rajamahendravaram, enabling devotees across the river basin to perform holy baths, prayers and rituals with adequate infrastructure. As part of the initiative, Munukudali in Rajamahendravaram Rural constituency is being developed as a model Pushkar panchayat at a cost of Rs.7 crore.

Works include CC roads, tower lights, magic drains, soak pits and toilets at Pushkar ghats. The Rs.100 crore APPCB allocation will also support priority development works proposed by the districts of Polavaram, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, with the aim of making the Pushkarams cleaner, safer and more convenient for devotees.