Andhra Pradesh Govt beefs up security at Durga temple

Vijayawada: The state government is according top priority for the safety of devotees visiting Goddess Kanakadurga atop Indrakeeladri here during Dasara Mahotsavams.

The temple officials are gearing up to construct three shelter homes to the devotees, one in front of Maha Mandapam, the other to the south side of Maha Mandapam and the third one at the new reception hall on the ghat road with the financial aid of donors, besides benches would be set up between Radha Krishna statue and Sivalayam on the temple premises.

Temple executive officer V Koteswaramma said that development works of the temple have been taken up seriously on the temple premises and all kind of facilities would be provided to the devotees visiting Goddess Durga to make their darshan memorable.

She said that officials are gearing up to extend parking space in front of Maha Mandapam on the temple premises to prevent vehicle damage during landslides atop Indrakeeladri, she said.

She mentioned that as many as 2.5 lakh devotees can visit Goddess Kanakadurga atop Indrakeeladri hillock every day as infrastructure was provided by the government for the darshan of devotees.

In all, 78 CCTV cameras were set up at key locations on the temple premises and nearly 72 CCTV  cameras would be set up at the main places on the temple precincts during Dasara Mahotsavams and other auspicious days to prevent untoward incident, she added.

The EO said that the officials would offer appaalu (prasadam) free to the devotees during Dasara Mahotsavam. A laser show would be organised which would narrate the history of Goddess Kanakadurga during Dasara Mahotsavam. 

Arjitha Sevas will be stopped on August 25, 26 and 27 for conducting Pavitra Utsavalu in the temple, she added. She said that devotees can send a complaint to her WhatsApp number 996928242 on any problems or inconvenience.

She said that about 200 security personnel were deployed, including Home Guards and Special Protection Force, on the temple premises to prevent untoward incident and police department would deploy more forces during Dasara time at the temple, she added.