Special transport arrangements to be made for Godavari Pushkaralu-2027: Ponnam Prabhakar

PEDDAPALLI

A comprehensive action plan is being prepared to ensure hassle-free travel for pilgrims to the ‘pushkar ghats’ located along the Godavari River during the next year’s Godavari Pushkaralu, said Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar.

Extensive transport arrangements will be made on the lines of ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’ and ‘Medaram Jatara’ during the 12-day Godavari Pushkaralu-2027, he added.

Mr. Prabhakar, along with IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu, laid the foundation stone for renovation of the bus stand in Manthani town of Peddapalli district on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion, the Transport Minister said requisite funds had been sanctioned for the development of the bus stands in Manthani and Kaleshwaram as suggested by Mr. Sridhar Babu.

The State government has already constituted a Cabinet sub-committee to chart out an action plan for the Godavari Pushkaralu-2027. The bus stands located at pilgrim centres all along the Godavari river right from Basar to Bhadrachalam will be developed and special buses would be operated during the next year’s 12-day mega event to clear a large influx of pilgrims, he added.

He said the Congress government has accorded top priority to strengthen the TGSRTC, welfare of its workforce and improvement of passenger amenities, the core areas neglected by the previous BRS government in the last 10 years.”

Purchase of new buses, recruitment of staff and establishment of new bus depots are ongoing, he said, adding that around 310 crore zero tickets were issued to women in TGSRTC buses under the Mahalakshmi Scheme so far.

Reiterating that the State government was committed for TGSRTC merger process, the transport minister said discussions will be held with the union representatives after the recognised trade union elections for taking up the merger process. He advised the workers not to believe rumours.

Mr. Sridhar Babu said the long-cherished wish of people of Peddapalli for a bus depot would be fulfilled soon. An amount of ₹93 lakh has been sanctioned for development works including construction of two additional platforms in Manthani bus stand. Kaleshwaram bus stand will be developed at an estimated cost of ₹3 crore.