Visakhapatnam gears up for Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina
The district administration has launched extensive preparations for the annual Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Giri Pradakshina, scheduled for July 28 and 29, with lakhs of devotees expected to participate.
Reviewing arrangements at the Collectorate on Wednesday, District Collector M. Abhishek Kishore directed all departments to work in close coordination to ensure smooth conduct of the event. He said the arrangements should match the standards of the recently concluded Chandanotsavam.
The Giri Pradakshina will formally begin at 4 p.m. on July 28 after rituals at Tholi Pavancha, while devotees are expected to begin the 32-km circumambulation of Simhachalam hill from the morning.
The Collector instructed officials to complete arrangements along the entire route, including drinking water, bio-toilets, sanitation, medical camps, ambulances, mobile medical units, rest centres, lighting, high-mast lights, and public address systems. Fifty water tanks will be deployed, with rest centres at five-km intervals.
At Tholi Pavancha, 50 queue lines and 100 iron stands will be set up for coconut breaking, with additional counters to be opened depending on crowd response. A Command and Control Centre will function to enable real-time coordination among departments.
A comprehensive traffic plan covering diversion, parking, holding points, and barricades has been directed. Separate teams will manage city and suburban traffic. A joint committee of the National Highways Authority, Traffic Police, temple administration, and Roads & Buildings Department will plan diversions for the Hanumanthuwaka stretch, with temporary foot-over bridges also under consideration.
The Health Department will deploy medical teams, ambulances, medicines, ANMs, and ASHA workers, while ensuring a dedicated corridor for emergency movement. GVMC will maintain sanitation and bio-toilets, and the power utility will complete road restoration after underground cable works and keep generators ready.
APSRTC will run special buses up to Tholi Pavancha, with alternative parking arrangements to avoid congestion on the BRTS corridor.
Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi said devotee safety remains the top priority, directing full functionality of CCTV cameras, enhanced surveillance, improved lighting in dark stretches, and uninterrupted public address systems.
Temple EO J. Venkata Rao said a ₹50 lakh permanent shed is being built at Tholi Pavancha, and adequate coconut-breaking counters will be arranged. He also announced free darshan for all devotees on July 29.
GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg, Joint Collector G. Vidyadhari, and senior officials from various departments participated in the meeting.