Bhadradri Restoration to Be Ready Ahead of Godavari Pushkaralu, Directs Minister Ponguleti

Telangana Revenue, Housing and Information Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy has instructed officials to complete the ongoing restoration and expansion works at the Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple in Bhadrachalam well before the next Godavari Pushkaralu , ensuring that the temple town is fully prepared at least 15 days before the start of the mega religious event.

After offering special prayers at the temple on Sunday, the minister reviewed the progress of various development works and held a meeting with officials from the Endowments and Engineering departments. He emphasized that the restoration should preserve the shrine’s spiritual and historical heritage while meeting the highest quality standards.

Ponguleti noted that the Bhadradri restoration programme was launched under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy during the first Sri Rama Navami celebrations held after the present government assumed office. The state government has sanctioned ₹351 crore for the project, while ₹75 crore has already been spent on land acquisition required for the temple’s expansion.

The minister directed officials to engage skilled artisans and experts so that the temple’s ancient structures and gopurams retain their original character. He stressed that all works should strictly follow traditional architectural practices and Agama Shastra principles . To accelerate progress, he ordered a 25% increase in manpower wherever required and instructed senior officials and technical experts to closely monitor work at the site.

He also called for seamless coordination among departments to avoid delays in technical approvals and directed that priority be given to the northern section of the temple complex, where substantial work remains pending. A special engineering officer will be appointed to oversee the project, while field-level reviews will be conducted every ten days.

The minister further instructed officials to ensure uninterrupted darshan facilities, sanitation, drinking water, security and queue management for devotees during the construction period. Plans are also underway to build new bathing ghats on the Godavari River and expand pilgrim amenities ahead of the Pushkaralu.

Later, at a review meeting in Sarapaka , Ponguleti assessed the progress of the district’s land re-survey programme, forest-revenue land disputes, podu land issues and the proposed development of Srinivasagutta in Palvancha . He directed officials to complete the re-survey transparently and within the stipulated timeframe. Surveys are currently underway in 14 villages , while work has been completed in five villages .

The minister also called for coordinated action by the Revenue, Forest and Police departments to resolve long-pending land disputes, prevent fresh podu cultivation and address the concerns of existing cultivators in line with government policy. He further instructed officials to prepare a comprehensive plan to develop Srinivasagutta into a major spiritual and tourism destination, including proposals for a road connecting devotees to the hilltop Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple .