Vigil stepped up at bathing ghats after stampede,probe ordered

RAJAHMUNDRY: A day after a stampede at the bathing ghat here claimed 27 lives, authorities today stepped up vigil, diverting pilgrims to various bathing ghats to avoid overcrowding even as the state government ordered a judicial inquiry into the mishap that occurred on the first day of the 'Pushkaram' festival.

Policemen were on their toes as heavy rush was expected on the day of "Aadi Amavasya" today, which is considered auspicious to perform rituals, even as pilgrims have been told not to flock to a single ghat.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is staying put here to oversee arrangements for smooth conduct of the mega event, for which 3.5 crore to four crore footfalls are expected.

East Godavari District Collector H Arun Kumar said pilgrims were being "evenly" diverted to various ghats and there is now no pressure at any particular point.

About 275 ghats have been set up by the administration, including 151 in East Godavari district alone, to enable the pilgrims to take holy dip and perform puja during the 12-day religious event.

With focus on Pushkar Ghat number one here and the other ones not in limelight, tens of thousands of people had thronged yesterday and once this crowd was let out suddenly after VIPs took holy dip and performed puja, there was a stampede resulting in the tragedy.

Arun Kumar said an estimated 10.2 lakh pilgrims visited the six ghats in Rajahmundry alone on the opening day of the once-in-12-years-event, which is hailed as Maha Pushkaram this year in view of its astronomical significance as it comes only once in 144 years.

Andhra Pradesh DGP, J V Ramudu, and senior police officials are monitoring the situation as the number of pilgrims is expected to swell in the coming days.