Sangameswaram looks abandoned after Pushkaralu

Tourism potential of Shaivite shrine left untapped

Atmakur (Kurnool): Sangameswaram, the confluence of seven rivers which attracted lakhs of devotees during Krishna Pushkaralu, looks abandoned now. The State government developed bathing ghats and created basic amenities at Sangameswaram by spending crores of rupees.

The Shaivite shrine located in the backwaters of Srisailam reservoir has immense religious tourism potential. There is widespread criticism that the tourism potential of Sangameswaram has been left untapped due to lack of coordination between the Tourism and Endowments departments though Collector Ch Vijaya Mohan is keen in this regard.

The water level at Sangameswaram is at 882.7 ft following heavy inflows into Srisailam reservoir from upstream. The newly developed Pushkar ghats at Sangameswaram got submerged. The water has reached the cottages set up by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) on the river bank. The area where the APTDC cottages are located, is facing soil erosion.

The hygiene in the area is also poor. The confluence of seven rivers has failed to attract a good number of tourists due to lack of promotion. According to local people, no endowments official has visited Sangameswaram after the end of Krishna Pushkaralu.

In the absence of security at Pushkar ghats, petty thieves are on the prowl at night to steal iron pipes and other fittings which can be disposed of as scrap. Expressing concern over the neglect of Sangameswaram after Pushkaralu, the people sought implementation of a plan of action to tap the tourism potential of the famous Shaivite shrine in the State.

By M Satya Peter