No action plan, no review, yet Telangana Congress government wants Central funds for Godavari Pushkarams
As Andhra Pradesh prepares for the 2027 Godavari Pushkarams with a Rs 904-crore plan, Telangana is yet to begin planning. Minister Konda Surekha blames the Centre for not releasing funds, despite no review meetings or project estimates from the State
Warangal/Kothagudem: The Telangana government, which has shown little initiative in preparing for the upcoming Godavari Pushkarams, has now accused the Centre of neglecting the State by not sanctioning funds for the festival.
Endowments Minister Konda Surekha’s statement in Warangal on Monday highlighted the government’s lack of preparedness. While the Andhra Pradesh government has already launched development works for the festival, Telangana is yet to formulate an action plan or hold a single review meeting, even as it seeks financial support from the Centre.
The Minister alleged that Union Minister G Kishan Reddy had failed to secure even a rupee for Telangana, while the Centre sanctioned crores to Andhra Pradesh. “He should ensure the release of funds to Telangana, as the State intends to celebrate Godavari Pushkarams on a grand scale. The Centre should treat both States equally,” she said.
However, when asked about the exact quantum of funds sanctioned to Andhra Pradesh, Surekha had no answer. She also admitted that no ministerial-level review meeting had been held and that project estimates were yet to be prepared. She added that she would soon write to the relevant Central department seeking funds.
The Godavari Pushkarams, scheduled to be held from July 23 to August 3, 2027, have already prompted Andhra Pradesh to propose development works worth Rs 904 crore under its draft action plan titled Akhanda Godavari Pushkaralu-2027, which aims to upgrade Pushkar Ghats across the Godavari districts. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan is expected to launch the project works on June 19, backed by Rs 97 crore from the Centre under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2024-25.
Reacting sharply to Minister Surekha’s remarks, Warangal district BJP president Ghanta Ravi told Telangana Today that it was the Telangana government that had been negligent in planning for the festival. “The government should first prepare an action plan and then approach the Centre for funds. How can the Minister expect funds without a proper plan or a single review meeting?” he asked.
Meanwhile, devotees in Kothagudem have urged the State government to improve road connectivity by developing the Bhadrachalam-Parnasala route and widening the Wyra-Kothagudem highway. They also demanded that Pushkar Ghats at Kaleswaram, Bhadrachalam, Basar, Dharmapuri, and Manthani be strengthened, especially considering the approaching monsoon season.
It may be recalled that the previous BRS government developed as many as 106 Pushkar Ghats in the erstwhile districts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, and Khammam during the Godavari Maha Pushkarams in July 2015, at a cost of over Rs 500 crore.
