Medaram Jatara: Devotees in droves reaching Medaram, 40 rescue teams for crowd management

MEDARAM: The stage is set for the four-day biannual tribal festival Medaram Jatara in Mulugu district of Telangana and the devotees started arriving from all over the State and other parts of the country.

The deities Saralamma, Sammakka, Pagididda Raju, and Govindaraju will be installed at the ‘Gadde’ pedestal by Wednesday afternoon marking the beginning of the world's largest tribal congregation.

With the number of devotees swelling every hour, the 40 rescue teams from the Singareni Collieries, Transco, revenue, endowments, police, and sanitation teams were pressed into service. Sick persons were given first aid and were being shifted to the Singareni hospital.

On the other hand, sanitation workers were shifting the huge quantities of jaggery offered by the devotees to storage spots to restrict fermentation and bad odour. A team of 70 members was on the job round the clock at the pedestal. In addition, 4,000 sanitation workers would be keeping the whole jatara venue clean by clearing garbage around the clock.

Govt releases Rs 105 crore

The State Government had released Rs 105 crore for the success of the Jatara. Preparations were made for a record crowd this year as already the footfall on Wednesday was pegged at 58 lakh. The Government also started making permanent arrangements for the devotees and the staff at the venue. Three very huge sheds were under construction for Rs 1.65 crore en route from Warangal to Medaram. As many devotees prefer to stay in tents till the tribal goddesses return to their homes, arrangements were made for their comfortable stay and sanitation.

Also Read: Medaram Jatara: Grand entry of Sammakka, Saralamma from Kannepalli on February 21

Drinking water, toilets, additional bathing areas, internal roads, medical aid, power supply, and charging facilities were provided. Panchayat Raj Minister Seethakka took special care this time ensuring that tribals arriving from long distances stay comfortably for four days.

Security

In all 300 LED screens and 300 CC cameras were installed to monitor the entire jatara in a central control room. The entire jatara area was divided into 10 zones, 38 sectors, and 60 sub-sectors. Sectoral officers communicate with the help of walkie-talkies. In all 16,000 employees from different districts were on duty at the jatara.

Transportation

In all 6,000 buses were pressed into service by the TSRTC. The Government released Rs 2.25 crore for the establishment of temporary bus shelters, ticket booking counters, lighting, and drinking water at these makeshift bus stops.

Drinking water

The Rural Water Scheme (RWS) officials spent Rs 13.50 crore to create infrastructure to supply clean drinking water. In all 17 infiltration wells and 5000 taps were established in 495 places covering the entire area.

40 generators were pressed into service 8,400 mobile and temporary lavatories, seven overhead tanks were built and 300 sanitation workers were entrusted with the work of keeping the jatara clean. 300 mini dump yards were created in the vicinity.

The TSTRANSCO made preparations at a cost of Rs 3.97 crore by establishing 210 transformers. The Medical and Health Department established a 50-bed hospital manned by 25 doctors, 120 medical officers, and 857 paramedics. More than 30 ambulances were kept ready for any eventuality.