Facilities for Shivaratri should be provided according to a meticulous plan
RSD-Vemulawada news: Jatara Committee Chairperson and In-charge Collector Garima Agarwal instructed the officials of various departments to provide facilities for the Maha Shivaratri festival according to a meticulous plan. A coordination meeting was held on 02.02.2026 at the District Integrated Offices Complex with officials from all departments regarding the Maha Shivaratri festival on the 14th, 15th, and 16th of February 2026. Jatara Committee Chairperson and In-charge Collector Garima Agarwal, SP Mahesh B Gite, ASP Ruthvik Sai, and Additional Collector Gaddam Nagesh attended the meeting. On this occasion, Jatara Committee Chairperson and In-charge Collector Garima Agarwal spoke. She instructed the R&B officials to complete the repairs and construction work on the roads from Vemulawada Thippapur bus stand to the temple, and on the roads leading from Vemulawada to other areas, as well as the barricading work at the helipad and other places, according to a thorough plan. She advised the RTC officials to prepare buses according to the rush of devotees. The RTC Regional Manager stated that they will arrange 600 buses this year and will make more vehicles available depending on the crowd of devotees. The ZP Deputy CEO, Vemulawada Municipal Commissioner, and District Panchayat Officer jointly instructed that staff be deployed in three shifts in the temple premises, parking areas, queue lines, and other places. They suggested that sanitation services be provided from before the festival until three days afterward. They stated that under the supervision of the District Welfare Officer, help desks with complete information should be set up at the bus stand, parking areas, and other places, and signboards with all details should be placed everywhere. They instructed Mission Bhagiratha and temple authorities to provide drinking water facilities at the queues inside the temple, parking areas, and bus stands. They suggested that breakfast be provided to the devotees in a clean environment. They instructed CES officials to ensure 24-hour power supply at the Bhimeshwara Temple, Baddi Pochamma Temple, and other places, and to make alternative arrangements as well, with officials and staff present. They directed the Medical and Health Department to have doctors, staff, and ambulances ready at the Bhimanna Temple, Prasadam counter, parking areas, and other places, and instructed the doctors and staff of Vemulawada Area Hospital and Sircilla GGH to be vigilant and available. They instructed the Fire Department officials to check fire safety equipment in the main temples and to have their staff ready in the temple premises during the festival. They instructed Food Safety officials to inspect the Prasadam and other food items provided to the devotees. He stated that district-level officers have been appointed to manage crowds in queue lines, VIP areas, the Kalyana Katta (marriage hall), and other places, and that they should oversee the arrangements. He explained that two officers have been appointed to manage the crowd and make arrangements at Nampally. He instructed that the management and care of the cattle should be handled in coordination by the district animal husbandry department and temple officials. He mentioned that the rents of lodges in Vemulawada should be monitored. He suggested that the use of plastic items should be prevented during the festival, and drinking water should be provided in steel glasses at the queue lines. He ordered that wheelchairs and volunteers should be arranged to assist the elderly and differently-abled. He instructed that the Vemulawada RDO and temple officials should take care of the rooms, food, and other facilities required for the officers and staff attending the festival duties. He clarified that all district officials from various departments should work in coordination and ensure that devotees visiting the festival do not face any difficulties in darshan (worship) or facilities. He instructed that all arrangements should be made meticulously to ensure that the visiting devotees have a safe darshan and return home safely. The festival chairperson and in-charge collector, Garima Agarwal, ordered that all works related to the festival should be completed in the next seven days.
SP Mahesh B Gite stated that measures will be taken to control traffic during Maha Shivaratri. He spoke at the coordination meeting. They explained that security measures would be monitored through the command and control center using CCTV cameras. They also stated that police security arrangements would be made at the Tippapur bus stand, other bus stands, and crowded places.
Temple priest Chandragiri Sharath said that private services and pujas would continue for Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy of Vemulawada. He also revealed that the Maha Shivaratri fair at the Bhimeshwara temple and the offering of silk garments to the deity would be conducted under the TTD and the state government. Temple Executive Officer Ramadevi, RDOs Radhabai and Venkateshwarlu, and others were present at the meeting.
