(From left) NTR Police Commissioner S.V. Rajashekar Babu, Collector G. Lakshmisha and Kanaka Durga temple EO V.K. Seena Naik during the coordination meeting on Dasara festivities in Vijayawada on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: K.V.S. GIRI
The NTR district administration and police department will take all out efforts to enhance devotee experience at the Indrakeeladri temple during the Dasara celebrations this year, said District Collector G. Lakshmisha and Police Comissioner S.V. Rajasekhar Babu.
Addressing the media after holding a coordination committee meeting to discuss the modalities for the conduct of the Dasara festivities, scheduled from September 22, at the Collectorate in Vijayawada on Tuesday, Mr. Lakshmisha said artificial intelligence (AI) and technical tools would be used to improve the overall experience of devotees coming to the temple.
The participants included Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam executive officer V.K. Seena Naik, officials from the Revenue, Medical, Civil Supplies, Endowments, Police, Vijayawada Municipal Department, Transport, among others.
The Collector discussed the work to be taken up by different departments. Directions were given to the departments regarding the arrangements, which included queue lines, barricading, booking systems, medical camps, issuance of special passes, installing signboards, among others.
Mr. Lakshmisha noted that the number of devotees visiting the temple during the 10-day festivities has been increasing every year and that this time, around 1 lakh devotees are expected every day. He added that on the day of Moola Nakshatra, around 2 lakh devotees are expected.
A command control room would be set up to provide 24 hour service and also for continuous monitoring. The control room will have an official from every department, he added.
The Collector said feedback would be taken from the public from time to time on the arrangements. All arrangements should be ready by September 20, the Collector said.
Later, Mr. Rajasekhar Babu said the police department would rectify the minor gaps identified last year to ensure that devotees do not face any problems. He said that while last year only three or four drones were deployed for use during the festivities, the number has now increased to 42. Around 5,000 CCTVs have been installed in the Commissionerate limits, he added. The CP said apps such as ASTraM would be used to ensure hassle-free traffic and parking.
Published – July 29, 2025 11:36 pm IST
