VIJAYAWADA:The irrigation officials in both Krishna and Guntur districts are busy studying the need for constructing more ghats along river Krishna in view of the Krishna Pushkarams to be held in August next year. They will submit a report to the state government by September-end.
The survey has been taken up following directions by the government, which wants to make Krishna Pushkarams a grand event like the recently-concluded Godavari Maha Pushkarams. At present, there are 99 ghats on both the banks of river Krishna. Since the government plans a grand event with pan-India presence, the turnout for the upcoming Krishna Pushkarams is expected to be far more than what it was during the last Pushkarams (2004).
Though there are 99 ghats along river Krishna, Bhavani Ghat in Vijayawada is the largest measuring 220 m in length, while the others measure anywhere between 5 and 7 m. According to irrigation officials, five divisions under Vijayawada and Guntur irrigation circles have been entrusted with Krishna Pushkaram works.
The division entrusted the works include Pulichintala Project Division (to look after works of left side upstream of Prakasam Barrage i.e., from Barrage to Vedadri), Krishna Central Division (works of VIP ghats at Prakasam Barrage and along Krishna left bank) Drainage Division of Gudivada (works of Diviseema left and right flood banks and river islands), Pulichintala Project Sattenapalli Division (works of right side of upstream of Prakasam Barrage i.e., from Barrage to Amaravati and beyond) and Drainage Division, Chirala (works of right side of downstream of Prakasam Barrage i.e., from Barrage to Repalle).
The officials have been asked to provide detailed reports of previous Krishna Pushkarams, existing ghats, water levels, capacity, need for new ghats and their proposals, details of amenities at each of the existing ghat and the estimated requirements for proposed ghats, arrangements of showers, lighting and other amenities, barricading in ghats, proposals for renovation of existing ramps on river flood banks, approach roads to existing and proposed ghats and river margin, existing road network and need for repairs and renovations, illumination and beautification of ghats.
A preliminary report is expected to be submitted by this month-end. Based on the report, finances will be worked out and decisions will be taken on the proposals.