All set for Ujjaini Bonalu festivities

Secunderabad: For the smooth flow of Bonalu festival at historic Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad on July 21 and 22, the police department is leaving no stone unturned to make the state festival a grand affair. All the minute things are being checked and railing for the queue line is being set at the surroundings of Mahakali temple.

Speaking to the media, Kalmeshwar Shingenavar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, north zone, said that the police have intricate security arrangements for the occasion, around 2,500 police personnel, quick reaction team for emergency propose, fire action teams, traffic regulation team, octopus police team including 10 platoons of Telangana State Special Police and City Armed Reserve would be deployed as part of the bandobast.

Apart from that 200 CCTV cameras will be installed from which footage would be monitored from the control room in Mahankali police station and also LED screen would be placed at the strategic points and also ban on movement of vehicles on RP road and battery cars for senior citizens would be provided at temple premises.

He further said officials from various departments, including GHMC, HMWSSB, Road and Buildings, and Revenue, would also monitor the situation from the control room and 30 SHE teams officials would be deployed for the safety purpose for the two-day Bolanu festival which includes the Laksala Bonalu and Ragam.

As last time there was only a single queue line of general devotees and devotees carrying the Bonam, so this time there is a separate line for devotees carrying the Bonam. An iron shed, 150 by 60 ft, would be put up at the temple premises to protect the devotees against rain and sun.

As many as 1,500 passes were issued for VIP pass holders and there is a separate line. Devotees and VIP pass holder and the general public would come from Ramgopal police station and RP road, Bata there would be a Bonam line. To avoid any confusion and smooth flow of the festival, all agreement is being minutely taken care. He also requested the devotees to corporate with officials and also be in the queue lines, added Kalmeshwar Shingenavar.

Meanwhile, temple executive officer S Annapurna said, "We are expecting more than 40 lakh devotees for the two-day festival and last year 35 lakhs devotees visited the temple and a gold Bonam weighing 3.08 kg will be presented to the presiding deity. Right now finishing touches are being like lighting works and flower decoration works."