River ambulances to be put up during 'Godavari Pushkaram'

East Godavari collector H Arun Kumar here directed officials to set up medical aid centres and river ambulances for pilgrims during 12-day river Godavari Pushkaram festival to be held here in July.
In a meeting with officials of various department on the ongoing preparations for the upcoming festival yesterday, Kumar said they have set up a 12-member Pushkaram works sub- committee and directed them to complete all works by June end.
Another sub-committee will be set up which will look into the needs of pilgrims during the festival, he said.
The collector said a 15,000 strong police force and 10,000 voluntaries will be deployed during the pushkarams and bandobast will be set up at all 13 ghats in the district.

He said medical and health department will set up river ambulance and first aid centres near ghats to provide better medical assistance to pilgrims.
Kumar also directed the transport officials set up mobile squads and endowment department officials issue to 'identity cards' to priests.