Tue Mar 04 12:30:58 UTC 2025: **Telangana Deputy CM Directs Preparations for Major Religious Events, Tourism Boost**
HYDERABAD, March 4, 2025 – Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has instructed officials to begin preparations for the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara tribal festival and the Godavari Pushkarams, ensuring long-term infrastructure improvements for pilgrims. This was announced following a pre-budget meeting with Endowments and Forest department officials, also attended by Endowments Minister Konda Surekha.
Vikramarka emphasized the need for permanent infrastructure improvements funded by significant investments. He also directed the Forest department to enhance tourism in the state’s tiger reserves and develop urban parks in Hyderabad to cater to IT professionals, generating revenue for the state. The Archaeology department was tasked with renovating old temples to attract pilgrims and boost revenue, with plans discussed for six major temple restoration projects.
Concerns were raised regarding coordination issues between Revenue and Forest departments impacting tribal communities cultivating podu lands. A meeting between these departments was scheduled to address this, along with other issues such as increasing forest cover and promoting solar pumpsets for tribal use. Officials were directed to utilize CAMPA funds for extensive green cover enhancement and the rural employment guarantee scheme for checkdam construction.
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