Medaram Sammakka Saralamma Jatara 2026: Telangana readies massive arrangements
HYDERABAD: The Telangana government has put in place extensive arrangements for the Medaram Sammakka Saralamma Jatara–2026, expecting nearly three crore devotees during the biennial tribal festival.
Ministers, officials camp at Medaram for field-level monitoring
To ensure smooth darshan and crowd management, state ministers and senior officials are camping at Medaram and reviewing preparations on the ground. The government said uninterrupted darshan, safety and convenience of devotees remain the top priorities.
Authorities have divided the Medaram area into eight administrative zones and 42 sectors for effective crowd regulation. Each zone is supervised by a district-level officer, while sector-level responsibility rests with mandal-level officials. Control rooms, missing persons camps and emergency response teams have been set up at all key locations, including the temple premises, gaddelu, Jampanna Vagu, RTC bus stand, Urattam, Shivaram Sagar, Narlapur and Padigapur.
Over 42,000 staff deployed; transport, power and sanitation reinforced
A total of 42,027 officials and staff from 21 departments will be on duty, assisted by 2,000 tribal youth volunteers. To ensure uninterrupted mobile connectivity, authorities have installed 27 permanent towers and 33 temporary mobile towers, along with 450 VHF communication sets.
Road infrastructure has been strengthened by addressing 525 identified road issues, including new roads, repairs and culverts. For parking, 42 parking areas spread across 1,418 acres have been developed under the Forest and Tribal Welfare departments.
Drinking water supply has been secured through Mission Bhagiratha, with 5,482 water taps installed across the Jatara area. At Jampanna Vagu, 119 dressing rooms have been set up for devotees taking holy dips, with continuous chlorination to maintain water quality.
Sanitation arrangements include 5,700 toilets across 285 blocks, with additional mobile toilets on standby. Around 5,000 sanitation workers, supported by 150 tankers, 100 tractors, 18 sweeping machines, 12 JCBs, 40 Swachh autos and 16 dozers, have been deployed.
Power supply is being ensured by Telangana Northern Power Distribution Company Limited, which has installed 196 transformers, 911 electric poles and 65.75 km of power lines, with 350 personnel on standby. For emergencies, 28 diesel generators have been kept as backup, while high-power lighting has been installed across temples, main roads and parking areas.
RTC services, medical care and safety measures intensified
The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation has pressed 4,000 buses into service, operating 51,000 trips during the Jatara. A total of 10,441 RTC staff will be deployed, with buses scheduled at a frequency of 15 per hour on key routes.
Healthcare services include 5,192 medical personnel, 30 ambulances, 40 bike ambulances, a 50-bed main hospital, and 30 medical camps operating daily. To prevent mishaps at Jampanna Vagu, 210 expert swimmers, 12 Singareni rescue personnel and 100 State Disaster Response Force teams are on continuous vigil. Fire safety arrangements include 15 fire engines and 268 firefighters.
Media centre set up for real-time coverage
The Information and Public Relations Department has set up a dedicated media centre at the TTD Kalyana Mandapam near the gaddelu to facilitate print, electronic and digital media coverage. The centre is equipped with 100+100 Mbps internet connectivity, 20 high-configuration computers, printers, fax and landline facilities, along with food arrangements for journalists. Photos, videos and news updates can be transmitted directly from the centre.
Officials said the Forest Department is overseeing parking, road management and environmental protection, while the Integrated Tribal Development Agency is issuing licences to tribal vendors for coconuts, jaggery and other trade activities to support livelihoods.
The government said it is committed to organising Medaram Jatara–2026 at a global standard, ensuring safe, orderly and comfortable darshan for devotees through coordinated efforts of all departments.
For the first time in history, arrangements are underway for the Telangana Cabinet meeting to be held at Medaram, in the divine presence of the forest deities.
With Chief Minister Shri @revanth_anumula garu, Ministers, and the entire administrative machinery set to assemble at… pic.twitter.com/qf83edsN6Z
— Danasari Seethakka (@seethakkaMLA) January 17, 2026
Medaram Jatara 2026: Key arrangements
Estimated devotees: ~3 crore
Departments involved: 21
Officials and staff: 42,027
Tribal volunteers: 2,000
Administrative setup: 8 zones, 42 sectors
Communication
Permanent mobile towers: 27
Temporary mobile towers: 33
VHF sets: 450
Transport & Parking
Parking areas: 42
Total area: 1,418 acres
RTC buses: 4,000
Trips: 51,000
RTC staff: 10,441
Water & Sanitation
Drinking water taps: 5,482
Dressing rooms at Jampanna Vagu: 119
Toilet blocks: 285
Toilets: 5,700
Sanitation staff: 5,000
Power & Lighting
Transformers: 196
Electric poles: 911
Power lines: 65.75 km
Backup generators: 28
Healthcare & Safety
Medical staff: 5,192
Ambulances: 30
Bike ambulances: 40
Medical camps per day: 30
Swimmers at Jampanna Vagu: 210
SDRF teams: 100
Fire engines: 15
