Bathukamma celebrations to be held across Telangana from October 10 to 18
HYDERABAD: Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju reviewed arrangements for Bathukamma celebrations across Telangana from October 10 to 18 at a meeting at the Secretariat on Saturday. The state government plans to organise the festival on a grand scale, with the main Saddula Bathukamma celebrations at Tank Bund on October 18.
Jaju said thousands of women carrying Bathukammas would take part in a procession from the Amaraveerula Smaraka Kendram (Martyrs’ Memorial), opposite the Secretariat, to Tank Bund from 16.00 IST on October 18.
Hundreds of artists would also participate in the procession and showcase traditional art forms, he said. Public representatives would attend the celebrations from a special stage being set up at Tank Bund.
Bathukamma displays planned at major city junctions
The chief secretary directed officials to install Bathukamma displays at major junctions across Hyderabad and decorate major government offices to create a festive atmosphere.
As large numbers of women from nearby localities, colonies and settlements are expected to gather at Tank Bund, officials were asked to ensure adequate arrangements to prevent inconvenience.
Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials were directed to make special arrangements for Bathukamma immersion at the Bathukamma Ghat in Tank Bund Children’s Park and at Necklace Road.
Traffic diversions, barricading and lighting arrangements
As the Tank Bund celebrations will continue from 17.00 IST to 22.00 IST, officials were directed to make arrangements for traffic diversions, barricading and essential public facilities.
Special barricading and lighting arrangements will also be made along the route from the Martyrs’ Memorial to Tank Bund.
The chief secretary said special arrangements should also be made at Ravindra Bharathi, where Bathukamma celebrations will be held during the festival period. Similar celebrations should be organised at major tourism destinations and prominent locations across the state.
Jaju said a special logo reflecting the spirit of Bathukamma celebrations was being designed this year. The logo will also incorporate the Telangana Global Summit scheduled for December.
The meeting was attended by Tourism and Culture Department Special Chief Secretary A Vani Prasad, Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar, Panchayat Raj Commissioner Divya, GHMC Commissioner R V Karnan, TSRTC Managing Director Nagi Reddy, Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B Sumathi, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Hyderabad, Joel Davis, Special Commissioner, Information and Public Relations Department, Mukund Reddy, Horticulture Commissioner Shaik Yasmeen Basha, Water Board managing director Ashok Reddy, Tourism Director Ranjith Naik, Shilparamam and Cultural Department Director A Narasimha Reddy, Special Officer Kishan Rao and others.
The meeting was held to review arrangements for the festival across the state.
