Andhra Pradesh utilise Pushkarams to promote tourism as part of brand Amaravati

Andhra Pradesh government, which is utilising all kinds of platforms to promote Brand Amaravati across the globe, is now gearing up to utilise the ensuing 12-day Krishna Pushkarams, beginning on August 12,  to promote Brand Amaravati in a big way.

A series of events, including tourism promotion events, cultural programmes, laser shows and food festivals are being planned during the 12-day mega event.

“This is the first Krishna Pushkarams which will be organised in the capital region in the reorganised state and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu wants to make the river festival a memorable event. We are, therefore, making all-out efforts to make the event successful,” principal secretary (endowments) JSV Prasad has said.

Prasad, who is supervising the arrangements for the Pushkarams, held a review meeting with senior officials of the departments concerned at the Secretariat here on Thursday.

“We want to utilise the event to promote Amaravati and all the important tourism, cultural and religious centres situated in the districts of Krishna, Guntur and Kurnool where the festival is being held. We want people to not only take part in the Pushkarams but also see other religious and tourist places,” he said.

According to Prasad, four projects are coming up in the Amaravati region under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive (PRASAD), which will help in the beautification of the capital region. Under PRASAD, the Centre has sanctioned about Rs  40 crore which will be utilised for the Amaravati heritage development project, development of Sri Amaralingeswra Swami temple, lighting of  the 125-foot-tall Buddha statue in the capital region and the river front development project.

“All these projects will be ready before the commencement of Krishna Pushkarams. We want pilgrims and visitors to witness the development taking place in Amaravati,” he said. 

About three crore people are expected to take a holy dip in the river during the Pushkarams. Vijayawada, Vedadri, Mopidevi and Hamsaladeevi in Krishna district; Amaravati and Sitanagaram in Guntur district; and Srisailam and Sangameswaram in Kurnool district will attract lakhs of devotees from far-off places.

The government plans to construct about 125 new bathing ghats and renovate around 150 temples which are situated on the banks of the Krishna in Kurnool, Guntur and Krishna districts. According to a preliminary estimate Rs  3,846 crore will be spent on  various developmental works planned to coincide with the Pushkarams.

The roads and buildings department has sought Rs  1,961 crore, irrigation department Rs  664 crore, municipal administration and urban development Rs  970 crore, panchayat raj department Rs  140 crore and health department Rs  48 crore.

Free medical facilities for Amaravati residents

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh government has decided to provide free medical facilities to all residents of Amaravati under NTR Vaidya Seva Scheme.  Only those people who are residing in the capital city as on December 8, 2014 will be eligible for this scheme. This scheme will be in implementation for 10 years. Currently, the government is providing free medical facilities to BPL families of the capital city and now it would be extended to all the residents of the city.

Source:  newindianexpress

 

Krishna Pushkaralu welcome video