Over 20 lakh people likely to witness Rottela Panduga in Nellore this year

Annual Rottela Panduga festival at Bara Shaheed Dargah in Nellore attracts over 20 lakh visitors, with tight security measures in place.

More than 20 lakh people from across the country as well as from abroad are likely to visit the famous Bara Shaheed Dargah in Nellore to celebrate ‘Rottela Panduga’ from Wednesday.

People cutting across class, caste and creed congregate near Swarnala Lake near the dargah and break bread in hopes of having their wishes fulfilled. The dargah witnesses an ever-increasing number of visitors every year.

The district administration and Rottela Panduga festival committee members have made all arrangements for the five-day festival. As many as 2,000 police personnel have been appointed on security detail at the dargah. Also, the festival is monitored round the clock from the control room through drones and 52 CCTV cameras strategically placed around the place of worship.

Acting on directions from Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, local Ministers and senior leaders are constantly reviewing the situation with the authorities for effective management of the festival. Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister Ponguru Narayana ordered officials to complete all arrangements at the dargah so that devotees are not inconvenienced.

He spoke to officials of all departments along with the Collector on maintenance of toilets, cleanliness of surroundings, health camps, supervision of electricity and fire, convenient arrangements for the disabled, food donation centres, and accommodation for volunteers. He directed the officials to provide drinking water and toilet facilities in the parking areas as well.

The officials explained to the Minister that around 5,000 people were hired privately for the maintenance of sanitation, toilets and other facilities including the parking areas. About 12 drinking water stalls were set up to provide drinking water continuously to the devotees.

Fisheries Department officials said that 45 swimmers will be patrolling on two boats. APSRTC officials said that buses will be run continuously to Kasumuru and AS Peta Dargahs to Nellore. Health Department officials have arranged medicine stalls and ambulances along with specialist doctors at the medical camps.