Hyderabad: Government Adviser V. Hanumantha Rao directed officials to make comprehensive arrangements for Amberpet Bonalu to ensure the smooth conduct of the Mahankali temple festival on August 9.
Hanumantha Rao chaired a review meeting at the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat on Wednesday to assess preparations for the festival. During the meeting, he instructed departments to work in coordination and ensure that devotees face no inconvenience.
Officials from GHMC, Telangana Transco, the Police Department, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, the Health Department and the Cultural Department attended the meeting. Accordingly, the adviser asked all departments to coordinate closely because the festival is expected to attract a large number of devotees.
Amberpet Bonalu arrangements reviewed
Hanumantha Rao said Bonalu occupies a special place in Telangana’s culture and traditions. He also noted that this year’s Ashada Jatara celebrations are being held from July 16 to August 13. Therefore, he directed officials to coordinate arrangements at temples across Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Rangareddy and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts.
According to the adviser, traditional events such as Ghatotsavam, Bonam offerings, Saka Samarpana, Thottela processions, Pothuraju performances, Rangam, Gavupattadam and Saganampu reflect Telangana’s rich cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, he instructed officials to improve infrastructure at temples and provide adequate facilities for devotees. The departments should ensure decorative lighting, floral decorations, CCTV cameras, queue management, drinking water, sanitation and medical camps.
In addition, the adviser directed authorities to prepare special traffic plans around crowded temples. He also called for additional RTC buses, medical teams and security arrangements. Further, he instructed officials to make special arrangements for elderly devotees.
Finally, Hanumantha Rao thanked Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for allocating ₹20 crore for the Endowments Department and temple development. MLC Balmoor Venkat, TGSPDCL Managing Director Jitesh V. Patil, Information and Public Relations Additional Director D.S. Jagan, GHMC officials, Water Works officials, RTC representatives, Endowments Department officials and temple committee representatives attended the meeting.