Simhachalam Chandanotsavam: Minister calls for fool proof arrangements

District In-charge Minister Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy on Tuesday asked officials to ensure flawless arrangements for the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Chandanotsavam at Simhachalam on April 20. He said devotees must not face inconvenience during the festival.

The Minister reviewed the preparations at a meeting in the Collectorate with District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad and Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi. He urged all departments to coordinate closely and avoid the lapses reported in previous years. Officials must regulate darshan strictly under the slot system and manage related activities accordingly.

The Minister also called for special caution while providing interval darshan to key categories. These include the hereditary trustee, those presenting silk garments from TTD, judges of the Supreme Court and High Court, and donors. He asked officials to inform devotees through social media that general darshan will stop at 6 p.m. on April 19.

To improve ticketing, the Minister directed the Endowments Department to open sales counters at convenient locations across the city. Officials must complete ticket sales within the scheduled time. Tickets will be issued in Rs 1,500, Rs 1,000, and Rs 300 categories. He also instructed officials to introduce QR-coded tickets and install scanners at entry points.

The police must curb vehicle movement on the hill, the Minister said. They should issue only a limited number of vehicle passes. He asked officials to prepare an action plan before the next review meeting in the first week of February.

District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad asked departments to complete civil works by February 28 and finish all arrangements by April 17. He said officials must ensure adequate buses, drinking water, buttermilk counters, toilets, sanitation, signboards, and medical camps.