Visakhapatnam, July 29: YSRCP Visakhapatnam District President K.K. Raju alleged that serious coordination failures among the Police, Endowments, Revenue and GVMC departments turned the annual Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina into a distressing experience for lakhs of devotees. He demanded a high-level inquiry into the mismanagement and action against officials responsible for negligence.
Addressing the media at the YSRCP office in Visakhapatnam, K.K. Raju said the coalition government failed to make even basic arrangements for devotees despite the Giri Pradakshina being a centuries-old religious event that requires extensive planning. He said there was no proper advance information on traffic restrictions for city residents or devotees arriving from distant places, while the administration failed to estimate the expected crowd and make adequate arrangements.
He criticised the government for focusing on publicity and review meetings instead of ensuring public convenience. He also objected to statements by ministers suggesting that devotees could begin the Giri Pradakshina from multiple locations, saying this created confusion and undermined long-standing religious traditions associated with the first Pavanchha.
Raju further alleged that the Endowments Minister failed to discharge his responsibilities and accused the government of neglecting the interests of the Simhachalam temple. He also said the GVMC failed to provide even basic drinking water facilities for devotees undertaking the 32-km pilgrimage, while voluntary organisations and YSRCP workers stepped in to provide relief.
Demanding accountability, Raju called for a high-level inquiry into the failures of the government machinery, GVMC, Police and Endowments Department, strict action against those responsible, and a public apology from the coalition government to devotees for the hardship caused during the festival.
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