Blueprint for Cauvery aarti will be ready in a week: Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar
Mandya (Karnataka), Apr 25 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said a blueprint for the Cauvery aarti programme would be ready within a week, with plans to start it this Dasara.
Addressing a press conference after a meeting with elected representatives and officials on the Cauvery aarti, he said, "We have formed a committee, led by Minister Chaluvaraya Swamy, to work out the modalities. This committee will prepare the blueprint in the next 8-10 days. We’ve discussed the broad contours of the aarti with our leaders and officials."
"The committee includes members from Chescom, the Tourism department, the Muzrai department, two DCs, two local MLAs, MLCs, Zilla Panchayat CEOs, and BWSSB members. Irrigation Department officials will create the necessary infrastructure," he added.
Cauvery Aarti (Puja) is part of the Karnataka government's efforts to promote water conservation. The dates have not been announced yet.
The state government has decided to allocate Rs 92 crore for the Cauvery aarti, with contributions from other departments as well.
"We are creating seating for about 10,000 people. The committee will decide how many days the aarti will be held. Different departments have submitted reports on their respective activities, and we’ll incorporate them into the final plan," he said.
The government has already called for tenders to upgrade Brindavan Gardens at the KRS (Krishna Raja Sagara Dam).
"We’ve also decided to form a Planning Authority with four panchayats. This won’t affect their functioning; the authority will only focus on planning and ensure that the proceeds from the project benefit these panchayats," he added.
Shivakumar said that seven firms have come forward to develop Brindavan Gardens, and discussions are underway.
"We’ve made it a condition for bidders to prioritize local employment," he said.
Responding to a question about when the Cauvery aarti programme would be launched, he said, "I’m keen to launch it this Dasara, and we’ve formed a committee to prepare the blueprint. Let’s see how fast the committee submits its plans."
Asked about the location for the aarti, he said, "We’ve inspected potential sites and consulted the technical committee. The location must be close to water, with sufficient space for parking, seating, and accommodations for artists. Boating will also be included. The committee will decide."
When asked if there would be entry tickets for the event, he said, "There will be both paid and free entry options. We can’t deny entry to poor people, and there will be an option for the public to offer prayers."
On allegations that the aarti could harm the KRS dam, he said, "We will discuss this with the organisations opposing it. They may have doubts, and we’ll address them."
Regarding concerns over encroachment and pollution of the Cauvery River, he said, "All dams have been surveyed using drones and marked for maximum levels. The department has been instructed to audit the assets."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
MHA asks several states to conduct mock drills to prepare for any attack
New Delhi, May 5 (PTI): The Union Home Ministry has asked several states to conduct mock drills on May 7 amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, government sources said on Monday.
The measures to be taken during the drill include operationalisation of air raid warning sirens and training of civilians on civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a "hostile attack", they said.
The other measures are provisions of crash blackout measures, early camouflaging of vital plants and installations and updation of evacuation plans and their rehearsal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been holding a series of high-level meetings, including with top defence functionaries, as India weighs its options for countermeasures against the April 22 terror attack which left 26 civilians, mostly tourists, dead.
Modi has vowed to pursue the perpetrators and those part of the conspiracy to the "ends of the earth" to inflict punishment on them "beyond their imagination".
Ministry of Home Affairs has asked several states to conduct mock drills for effective civil defence on 7th May.
— DD News (@DDNewslive) May 5, 2025
Following measures will be undertaken
1.Operationalization of Air Raid Warning Sirens
2. Training of civilians, students, etc, on the civil defence aspects to… pic.twitter.com/DDvkZQZw3A
