Mahamastakabhisheka - Attur church fest - Govt. allows 14 crore

Mangalore Today News Network

Karkala, Dec 3, 2014:  Speaking at a preparatory meeting of the various coordination committees here on November 2, Minister for Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake has said that the State government has sanctioned Rs 15 crore to make arrangements for the forthcoming Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka at Karkala. The masthakabhisheka ceremony will be held from January 21 to 31.

 The minister added  Rs 13.65 crore has been earmarked for providing facilities to the devotees who come from different parts of the country. Rs 75 lakh has been earmarked for widening road to Attur church. The tourism department has released Rs 43 lakh to take up development works in Karkala. Fifty per cent of the funds will be released immediately.   He directed the officials to complete the construction works within the time frame. Around one lakh devotees are expected to take part in the mastakabhisheka. It should be celebrated as a district festival, he said.

Udupi DC R Vishal said that all development works should be completed by January 15. Sanitation, safety, water supply and health would have priority. Accommodation arrangements besides cleanliness should be of importance.

He said all details must be uploaded on Udupi tourism website which would be linked to the State government website. A 24-hour central control room would be set up with two emergency contact numbers. The signboards should also display the emergency contact numbers.  Medicines worth Rs five lakh would be kept ready. The entire arrangements and facilities will be within four acres radius.

Parking :    Karkala ASP Annamalai said that six parking areas have been identified separately for two and four wheelers. By December end, the parking areas would be developed. As many as 60 CCTV cameras will be installed. Security arrangement would be made for Attur Church feast and Mahamastakabhisheka. Thirty police personnel from District Crime Squad would be deployed. Besides, additional forces from Shivamogga and Dakshina Kannada would be deployed. Two helipads have been identified at ANF camp and old taluk ground.

As many as 52 barricades will be placed to check the mob. The VVIP security path will be developed for the State Governor and BJP National President, who are expected to take part in the religious rituals, he said.

Former Kundapur AC and in-charge officer of Mahamastakabhisheka Yogeshwar said action plan for development works worth Rs 13.65 crore has been chalked out. Schools, colleges and hostels have been booked for providing accommodation facilities. As many as 400 stalls will be put up. The stalls will have agricultural, horticultural produce and artifacts. The Karkala taluk panchayat EO said that Rs 48 lakh has been set aside for the construction of temporary toilets and bathrooms. Measures will be taken to dispose of solid and organic wastes.

Drinking water facilities will be arranged at 10 to 11 places. Pipelines have already been laid. RTO said that additional KSRTC buses would provide services to Karkala. The health department official said that a clinic would be set up and needed ambulances and so on would be deployed.