Eluru district administration is making necessary arrangements for the 1 lakh pilgrims expected to attend the Sivaratri festival at Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy temple at Balive village in Musunuru mandal of Eluru district.

Reviewing the arrrangements on Saturday (February 16), Minister for Information and Public Relations Kolusu Parthasarathy impressed upon the officials to ensure foolproof arrangements for the festival. The Minister directed the District Panchayat Officer to assign 50 experienced sanitation workers from Nuzvid, Eluru, and other panchayats for festival duties. He also directed R&B officials to install additional large gates as huge crowd was expected.

For the convenience of devotees, 400,000 water packets, buttermilk, and cooled drinking water will be provided, the Minister said and discussed these arrangements with the Chairman of Vijaya Dairy. He asked officials to set up water and buttermilk distribution points for every 100 metres.

Mr. Parthsarathy stated that last year devotees struggled as facilities were not adequate, and this year, three additional bore wells, showers, and a pipeline system would be installed. Temporary mobile bathrooms for women would also be arranged he said and directed officials to set up 50 mobile toilets.

He wanted the officials to ensure the presence of 600 police personnel, including female officers, to maintain security. The Minister also ordered that breastfeeding centres must be set up as a priority.

He also wanted the officials to ensure that devotees are provided with tamarind rice, buttermilk, water, and all other necessary facilities. Cleanliness and sanitation in the village should be handled efficiently, and a separate parking facility should be arranged for vehicles bringing devotees, he added.