VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to ensure that priority is given to common devotees, and not VIPs, while holding the Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities at the Kanaka Durga temple on Indrakeeladri and the cultural events here.
Reviewing arrangements for the festivities, the CM called for close coordination among the endowments and tourism departments and the district administration. With large numbers of devotees expected from other states, besides central ministers and prominent personalities, he stressed the need for comprehensive arrangements to manage the crowds.
“Dasara should not become a VIP festival,” he said, urging everyone to cooperate with the decisions taken by senior officials to ensure the celebrations proceeded without disruption.
Naidu instructed officials to keep the public informed about decisions on the darshan arrangements and facilities. If traffic restrictions became necessary during VIP visits, the authorities should adopt suitable steps to minimise inconvenience to the devotees, commuters and motorists.
The review also covered preparations for Vijayawada Utsav 2.0, the proposed visit of President Droupadi Murmu to the Durga temple and the National Saras Mela.
Naidu directed the tourism department to showcase AP’s culture, traditions and heritage through Vijayawada Utsav 2.0. He said the festival should combine celebrations, traditional practices and cultural programmes.
Pointing out that devotees, tourists and visitors from different parts of the country would arrive in Vijayawada, he said the influx could boost economic activity in the region.
A National Saras Mela-2026 will be held at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada from October 13 to 31, providing a platform for women members of Self-Help Groups from across the country to showcase their products.
Officials informed the CM that 576 stalls would be set up for women entrepreneurs from different states, including 208 stalls representing Andhra Pradesh.
Naidu said the mela should offer women entrepreneurs from the state’s SHGs and rural communities an opportunity to showcase and sell their products nationally under the ‘Swayam AP’ brand.
He emphasised that the event should help women entrepreneurs expand their market reach, promote locally manufactured goods and strengthen livelihood opportunities through wider access to customers.
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