District Minister GTD chairs preliminary meeting

T. Narasipur: District Minister G.T. Devegowda (GTD) has directed the district-level and taluk- level officials to make all necessary preparations for the smooth conduct of Kumbha Mela as just seven days is left to hold this mega event at the Triveni Sangama in T. Narasipur.

The 11th edition of the three-day  Kumbha Mela will be held from Feb. 17 to 19 at the Triveni Sangama, the confluence of Cauvery, Kapila and Spatika Rivers said GTD while chairing the preliminary meeting of the Mela held at Adichunchanagiri Samudaya Bhavan in the town recently.   

The Minister said that the Mela which was started by Kailasa Ashram’s Sri Tirucchi Mahaswamy, the then  Adichunchanagiri Seer Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji and Suttur Seer Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji 30 years ago had received overwhelming response in all ten events that has been conducted successfully so far.

“About 10 lakh devotees are expected this year. Officials must focus on all aspects including cleanliness, transportation, accommodation, security and other areas for the success of the Kumbha Mela”, he said.  

GTD said that MLAs M. Ashwinkumar and Dr. Yathindra Siddharamaiah had conducted the Development Works Progress Review Meetings thrice and added that the State Government has also given full responsibility to local MLAs to list out and take up the development works on priority.

Regarding the demand on the construction of the temporary bridge between Agastheshwara Swamy Temple and Gunja Narasimhaswamy Temple, the District Minister telephoned State Chief Secretary Vijaya Bhaskar to give directions to Land Army to construct the same.

Free bus facility

G.T. Devegowda has also instructed the officials to arrange free bus facility from Bannur, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru bus stands to bring people to the Kumbha Mela and also deploy mini buses to bring people from T. Narasipur and surrounding villages.

Old bridges

He also informed the CESC officials to illuminate the streets connecting the temple, bus stands, major circles and river bank surroundings.  PWD officials must develop the roads on both the old bridges of the town besides the road connecting from Mysuru Circle to Agastheshwara Swamy Temple.  

He also asked the officials to widen the sand bag-filled road that is built temporarily for movement of devotees to take part in homas and havanas which will be conducted in the middle of the Triveni Sangam as well as to clear bushes and weeds grown around the river bank.  

The Minister also instructed the District Health Officer (DHO) to set up temporary health centres, depute adequate staff and ambulance facility on both banks of the river. Build more temporary rooms at bathing ghats along the river banks which would help devotees to change their dresses  after taking holy dip in the River. He asked the officials to depute all local Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) to oversee the preparations of various works.

Mudukuthore Jathra

The Minister also wanted the officials to conduct the Mudukuthore Jathra near Talkad which will be held in the same taluk without giving room for any complaints.   

MLAs M. Ashwinkumar, Dr Yathindra Siddharamaiah, Additional Deputy Commissioner Poornima, Additional Superintendent of Police Sneha, Taluk Panchayat President Cheluvaraj, Zilla Panchayat Member Manjunathan, Tahasildar P.N. Nagaprashanth, Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Nanjesh and others were present.