Konda Surekha Directs Officials To Ensure Safe Balkampet Yellamma Bonalu Celebrations

Endowments Minister Konda Surekha directed officials from various government departments to ensure grand and foolproof arrangements for the upcoming Ashada Bonalu celebrations and annual kalyanotsavam at the Balkampet Yellamma temple in Hyderabad. Speaking at a review meeting, the minister emphasized the need for safety, sanitation, and a seamless darshan experience for the lakhs of devotees expected to visit the temple on July 20, 21, and 22.

The Balkampet Yellamma temple, believed to be over 700 years old, holds immense spiritual significance. Devotees believe that visiting Goddess Yellamma is equivalent to having a darshan of the Ashtadasha Shakti Peethas.

Minister Surekha instructed departments including the Police, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSSPDCL), Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB), health, fire services, and the Road Transport Corporation (RTC) to remain fully prepared.

Special focus must be placed on crowd control, uninterrupted power supply, sanitation, drinking water, traffic management, and medical facilities, particularly in view of the monsoon season. The minister stressed that devotees should face no inconvenience while offering Bonalu or having darshan, and must return home safely.

To manage the large crowds, officials discussed queue management strategies, including setting up separate lines for women, the elderly, and differently-abled persons. Security at VIP entry points will also be enhanced.

Arrangements such as floral and lighting decorations, the kalyana mandapam setup, rathotsavam preparations, prasadam distribution, and volunteer deployment must be completed on time.

Additionally, the RTC will operate special buses for the festival, and cultural programmes reflecting the traditions of Telangana will be organised. The police department was asked to strengthen security, manage traffic diversions, and install systems to track missing persons if required.