Teeparru to be developed as model Pushkar village for Godavari Pushkaralu: Kandula Durgesh

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Kandula Durgesh has announced that Teeparru village in Peravali mandal of Nidadavole constituency will be developed as a model Pushkar village and its riverfront into a model ghat ahead of the Godavari Pushkaralu-2027.

Launching the Maa Godavari Sankalp programme in Teeparru with the support of the Tadekam Foundation on Saturday (July 11, 2026), the Minister said the coalition government was committed to organising the 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu on a grand scale, promoting environmentally sustainable tourism and preserving the river ecosystem.

Mr. Durgesh said the government aimed to complete the model village works by Sankranti next year. He appreciated the Tadekam Foundation for partnering in the initiative and directed officials to identify government land near the ghat for developing pilgrim amenities. During the visit, he took part in a cleanliness drive at the ghat and instructed officials to resolve drainage issues in the village’s Dalit locality.

The Minister said proposals worth ₹96 crore had been submitted to strengthen the 36-km embankment from Vijjeswaram to Siddhantam and develop it into an all-weather road before the Pushkaralu. He said the project would also help improve 29 ghats, enabling them to handle an estimated 10 to 15 lakh pilgrims during the festival. He added that the proposal had been discussed with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana.

To improve connectivity, the government has proposed an alternative access road to Teeparru at an estimated cost of ₹1.80 crore, the survey having been completed, he said, adding that plans were also under way to install a towering Goddess Godavari statue at the ghat and restore the historic Chintalamma Cheruvu before the Pushkaralu.

Mr. Durgesh said the government intended to promote several Godavari ghats beyond Rajamahendravaram, including Kovvur Goshpada Ghat, Mukkamala, Teeparru and Pendyala, and ensure that facilities at these places were developed on a par with those at the Rajamahendravaram ghats.

The Tourism Department, in coordination with the Endowments Department, is also preparing special tourist circuits linking Pushkar pilgrims to nearby temples such as Dwaraka Tirumala, Vadapalli, Kotasattemma Temple and Golingeswara Swamy Temple, enabling visitors to combine pilgrimage with tourism, he said.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to eco-friendly celebrations, the Minister said all Pushkar ghats would be kept plastic-free and pollution-free, safeguarding the livelihoods of fishermen. He said the government had already provided ₹20,000 in financial assistance to fishermen during the fishing ban period.

Representatives of the Tadekam Foundation, coalition leaders, officials and local residents took part in the programme.