Konda Surekha faces setback as Medaram Jathara works moved to R&B Department

HYDERABAD: The State government has transferred responsibility for executing all works related to the 2026 Sri Sammakka Saralamma Jathara in Medaram from the Endowments Department to the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department.

Government shifts temple development works to R&B Department

A memo issued by Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao directed the Endowments Department to immediately hand over all documents related to the ongoing works to the R&B Department. The decision marks a significant administrative setback for Endowments Minister Konda Surekha, who had been overseeing the project.

R&B to handle ₹101 crore temple works

The government had sanctioned ₹101 crore for reconstruction of gaddelu (kitchens) and the prakaram (temple wall) at the Sri Sammakka Saralamma temple. Rao noted that the biennial Jathara, scheduled for 2026, draws one of the largest congregations of devotees from across India, necessitating major infrastructural works for the smooth conduct of the event.

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Technical supervision and tenders

The Engineer-in-Chief of the R&B Department has formed a technical committee to oversee the project. The team invited tenders for the works on September 28 through the e-procurement platform, setting October 7, 2025 as the last date for submissions.
Considering the scale of the works and the need for technical supervision and time-bound completion, the government decided that the R&B Department would execute the remaining tasks related to temple development and infrastructure strengthening.