VIJAYAWADA: Suffering strong criticism for allowing Hindupur MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna on the ghat road of Goddess Kanaka Durga temple in violation of protocol on the first day of Krishna Pushkarams on Friday, the police personnel have tightened restrictions on Saturday. But it proved troublesome for the temple authorities themselves.
Much to the annoyance of the temple authorities, the over enthusiastic cops stopped the vehicle of the temple executive officer A Surya Kumari from taking the ghat road. The incident has raised several eyebrows and was criticised as a diversionary tactic adopted to divert the pilgrim’s attention from the MLA Balakrishna incident. Questions were asked to whether the police officials or the security staff really that ignorant of who is who.
Later, the executive officer got down from her vehicle and asked the security personnel to allow her into the temple. After heated arguments the security personnel allowed Surya Kumari’s vehicle on the ghat road. The EO also said that she would further take the issue to the notice of chief minister.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday directed the Kanaka Durga temple authorities to revise the price of Seeghra darshan ticket from Rs 500 to Rs 300 for the convenience of the pilgrims.
More than 60,000 devotees from various places visited Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam and offered prayers to Goddess Durga on the second day of Krishna Pushkarams in the city on Saturday.