Complete Godavari Pushkaram festival works by June-end: N Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh CM

RAJAHMUNDRY: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials concerned to complete all works related to 'Godavari Pushkaram' by the end of this month.

The 12-day festival will commence from July 14. Naidu, who held a meeting with officials last night, said 80 per cent of the works related to Godavari Pushkaram are at different stages of completion while works costing Rs 200 crore are pending.

Works worth Rs 800 crore have been initiated for the festival.

"All works allocated should be complete by this month's end," he told the officials, adding that he will visit the town on June 25 to inspect the works.

The Chief Minister said 'Godavari Harathi' for the river here will commence from July 1 and from that day 'Harathi' will be performed for the river daily and several programmes including devotional and cultural will commence.

The administration is making adequate arrangements for ' Godavari Pushkaram', a festival of river Godavari which occurs once in 12 years.

The previous Pushkaram festival was held in 2003 wherein over 58 lakhs pilgrims from various parts took part in united Andhra Pradesh.