Hyderabad: At least 29 people have been killed and several others injured in a stampede, which the Andhra Pradesh government admitted took place due to lapses in arrangements, during the Pushkaram festival in Rajahmundry.
The Godavari Pushkaram festival, also known as the Kumbh of South India, being held on the banks of river Godavar is attended by crores of pilgrims.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who was on the spot, expressed profound grief at the tragedy and is personally monitoring relief and rescue operations. "This is very unfortunate and shocking. I have come here many times to review arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the event. But some problems cropped up in execution," Naidu said.
The Chief Minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the family of the deceased and said, if necessary, he would would remain in Rajahmundry for the next 11 days.
State Forest Minister Gopal Krishnan Reddy said the government had taken full responsibility of the tragedy. Reddy said the government did not expect such a huge turnout at the festival. He added that the government will ensure aid to the victims and their families.
Expressing condolences, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said, "I hope adequate arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of all visiting pilgrims and devotees. Extremely sad to hear of the stampede in Rajahmundry that led to the death of several devotees. My deepest condolences to the families."
The bodies of the victims, all women, were shifted to Rajahmundry government hospital. The injured were also brought to the hospital, where the condition of some of them is stated to be critical.
The stampede took place when the devotees rushed to take a holy dip in the river Godavari at Rajamundry at the time of sunrise. The heavy rush at the Kotagummam Pushkar ghat in Rajamundry led to the stampede.
This is the first Pushkaram being held after the bifurcation of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. The 12-day-long 'Godavari Pushkaram' in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana began on Tuesday. Crores of devotees are expected to take part in the mega congregation in both states.
Similar to the 'Kumbh melas', celebrated by the banks of the holy rivers of India, 'Pushkaram' is held every 12 years in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Taking a dip in Godavari river is the main feature of the festival. The event this year is special as it marks the 'Maha Pushkaram', which comes once in every 144 years.
"This is very significant from the astronomical point of view. The conjunction of 'Brihaspati' (Jupiter) entering into 'Simha rasi' (zodiac sign of Leo)," Advisor (Communications) to Andhra Pradesh government, Parakala Prabhakar, who heads a committee on 'Pushkaram', said earlier.
Comments
0 comment