Nitya Pooja Kona from Kadapa

Kadapa: Nityapooja kona pilgrimage center which is trucked to 10Km lankamala forest region situated 16 Km from Kadapa district head quarters seems to be out of bound for pilgrims due to lack of road facility coupled they have to cross the three streams risking their lives and face hazards from cruel animals. Even people either not availing two wheelers or Tractor ride as entire rout would be filled with big stones and thick bushes.

APSRTC is not in a position to operate services to pilgrimage center due to lack of permission from the forest department. About 10lakh people are expected to visit this pilgrimage center on the occasion of Maha Shiva Ratri every year. The administration forced to took pains in providing facilities. The APSRTC which did not flee the buses during the normal days as it is able to operate services every Monday only two trips, and run more services during the Shiva Ratri festival.

Pilgrims have no alternative to reach Nitya pooja swamy temple except all the way by walk about 8Km through dense forest following lack of road facility. There are several instances pedestrians who ventured in to the forest in reaching temple might get lost the way as police rescue them with great difficulty.

However forest department had bluntly rejected proposals of district administration, and several appeals from devotional organizations, social activists for constructing of road to the Nityapooja kona by saying such proposals would have put negative impact in preventing red sander smuggling in Lankamala forest.

“We are not against in preventing the illegal transportation of red sanders, but at the same time government has to thing over about the sentiments of devotees. Police can intensify combing operations round the clock in the forest areas. But it is not correct to restrict the road formation. During the Sravanam scores of devotees would have visit Nitya Pooja kona for performing rituals to Lord by overcoming several hurdles” said Dr YV Chalapathi and Jana Vignana Vedika (JVV) leader in Sidhavatam mandal.

“People of Sidhavatam were facing great difficulty following obstruction of vehicular traffic by the government from 9 Pm to 6 am in the name of protecting the wild animals coming on to the roads during the night as they die in the road accidents. This kind of activity adversely hit the lively hood of traders. Now ignoring the permission in constricting road is another major blow to the business people” said SK. Mahaboob Basha tea point owner told Hans India.

However endowment officials said they cannot initiate steps against the forestry department as the issue is linked with red sander smuggling.