The State government is spending around ₹2,000 crore on developing temples along the Godavari and riverbank areas ahead of the Godavari Pushkaralu scheduled for next year, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said on Sunday.
He said ₹276 crore had been allocated for the development of Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy temple at Bhadrachalam and ₹354 crore for the Sri Gnana Saraswati temple at Basar.
In all, temple development works were being undertaken across the State at an estimated cost of ₹2,500 crore, he added.
Mr. Vikramarka was speaking after laying the foundation stone for a road at an estimated cost of ₹44 crore at Nacharam village in Enkoor mandal of Khammam district. He also offered prayers at the Adbhutha Venkateswara Swamy temple in the village.
He said the road would ensure easier access for devotees and create employment and livelihood opportunities for local youth.
Highlighting the Congress government’s welfare initiatives, he said fine rice was being distributed to 1.06 crore families, while Rajiv Aarogyasri provided free medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh per family. Rythu Bharosa assistance was being extended to 71 lakh farmers, and 53 lakh families were receiving free electricity for consumption of up to 200 units a month.
Other initiatives included interest-free loans to women, social security pensions for eligible beneficiaries, free bus travel for women and Indiramma houses for the poor, he said.
In the education sector, the State government was implementing a breakfast scheme for 27 lakh students of government schools, establishing Advanced Technology Centres and taking up construction of Young India Integrated Residential Schools in every Assembly constituency at an estimated cost of ₹200 crore.
The government was also undertaking road development works worth ₹90,000 crore across the State and taking steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply despite electricity demand exceeding 20,000 MW, he said.
Referring to the potential impact of El Nino, Mr. Vikramarka urged people to conserve water and appealed to farmers to monitor groundwater levels and use agricultural pumps judiciously.
Published – October 18, 2026 07:59 pm IST
