HYDERABAD: With over seven crore pilgrims expected to visit 12-day Godavari Maha Pushkarams beginning from July 14, the Andhra Pradesh government in order to allow common man to perform rituals without any hassle has decided not to allow any personal vehicles, including of VVIPs in the Ghat areas.
Disclosing this to newsmen at secretariat here on Monday, Endowments Minister P Manikyala Rao said it has been seen that during major religious events due to VVIPs common man has to wait for long hours and hence the government has decided to do away with many facilities enjoyed by VVIPs and elites in the past so that there is no problem for the commoners.
"We would allow vehicles to a certain point from where everyone has to walk to reach ghats. This will help in checking inconvenience caused to the common man," he said. Giving details of special arrangements being made for Puskarams pilgrims, the Endowments Minister said arrangements are being made to serve foods free of cost to over 10 lakh pilgrims on daily basis.
"Already lot of voluntary organisations have come forward to serve foods free of cost to pilgrims," he informed.