Slow pace of works irks devotees ahead of Sammakka Saralamma jatara in Mancherial

With the Sammakka Saralamma jatara just days away, sluggish progress in setting up mini altars and basic amenities at Mancherial has triggered criticism from devotees, who have urged civic authorities to expedite works to avoid inconvenience during the four-day fair.

Mancherial: Even as the biennial Sammakka Saralamma jatara is barely three days away, work on mini altars of the deities and creation of basic amenities is progressing at a snail’s pace, irking devotees.

Mancherial Municipality has been making arrangements at the temporary mini altars near Sri Gouthameshwara Swamy temple on the banks of the Godavari river since 2004 for the convenience of devotees from Mancherial and surrounding villages. It undertakes arrangements including sanitation, drinking water facilities, temporary toilets, lighting systems, bathrooms and painting of altar sheds to ensure smooth conduct of the fair.

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Financially weak devotees not only from Mancherial town but also from neighbouring villages and coal mining areas throng the altars and perform special prayers during the four-day religious event, helping the civic body register revenue of around Rs.30 lakh. For instance, the municipality earned Rs.23.68 lakh through offerings and sale of services in 2022 and Rs.20.15 lakh in 2020.

The biennial fair is scheduled to be held from January 28 to 31. With only a few days left to complete the arrangements and avoid inconvenience to devotees, officials have come under criticism for alleged negligence in providing basic amenities. Devotees have urged the authorities to expedite the works.

Responding to the criticism, Mancherial Municipal Corporation officials said the work commenced a week ago and steps were being taken to speed up the arrangements. They said the works were being taken up at an estimated cost of around Rs.30 lakh and were being executed in coordination with the Revenue and Endowments departments.