T.Chandra Kumar, M.A.,B.L.

,
To
The Commissioner,
Endowments Department,
Dharmik Bhavan,
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
RC No. B1/32/2008 Dt:01-07-2009
Sir,
Sub:- Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam, Vijayawada- Stampede
occurred on 3-1-2008 at Ghat Road of Indrakeeladri Hills- Perusal of tile on
enquiry report of Sri I.V.Subba Rao, I.A.S., Former Principal Secretary to
Government – Action taken report – Called for – Report – Submitted.
Ref:- 1) CED RC No. V1/29859/2008 Dt: 1-12-2008.
2) Government Memo No. 173537/Endts IV(I)/08 Dt: 24-9-2009.
***
The Commissioner, Endowments Department, Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad
communicated the Enquiry Report of Sri I.V.Subba Rao, I.A.S & Former Principal Secretary
on the stampede in January-2008 during Bhavani Deeksha Viramana on the Ghat Road of
Indrakeeladri. The Commissioner instructed to submit the Action Taken Report on the
suggestions, recommended by the Enquiry Officer. Accordingly, I submit the following actions
taken on the recommendations.
1) & 2) Protection of Hill Slopes and Widening of The Ghat Road & Construction of
Two Bridges at Narrow points of Ghat Road.
Director, Geological Survey of India, Engineers from L&T Company, and eminent
Professors from Osmania university & I.I.T. Madras, Experts in Geo-Engineering like
professor M.R.Mdhav, and Sri R.Kondala Rao, Advisor to the Government have visited the
Indrakeeladri and offered valuable suggestions to protect the hill slopes and also alternatives
to widen the Ghat Road.
Based on the above Technical Advices, Hill protection works have been taken up in
reach ch.135-ch.200 and ch.387 ch430 and they were completed in Sept-2008.
Tenders have been called for Hill Protection in reaches from chainage 460 to 580, 430
to 455 & 375 to 430 where hill protection is necessary. The tenders are expected to be
received on 4-7-2009.
Regarding widening of the Ghat Road, originally two bridges have been contemplated
on the vally side (on river side) and cutting of the hill on the other side.
However, based on expert advices widening on the vally (river) side has been taken
up by raising reinforced earth retaining walls at New Arundal Choultry and OM turning in
place of the two bridges.
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The Reinforced Earth Retaining wall near the Arundal Choultry was completed and
made available for pilgrims for Dasara-2008. The work of the other retaining wall near OM
turning is in progress. It is expected to be completed (except CC pavement) and made
available for pilgrim traffic before Dasara Festival-2009 i.e. 1st week of September-2009.
Ultimately the Ghat Road will have a minimum width of 30” feet to accommodate two
lane vehicular traffic.
3) & 7) Widening of NH-9 and another foot bridge over National High Way
The National High Way-9 from Ashok Pillar to Rajagopuram was widened in
September-2008. During the process , the existing foot bridge was dismantled and the hill
was cut to get the necessary width. On the river side also, road was widened by dismantling
existing parapet and other structures.
The widened portion on both sides were brought to the existing road surface by
providing gravel base. CC pavement to the National High Way standards has been proposed
for Rs.90 Lakhs to be executed by the Devasthanam and agenda is placed before Specified
Authority for sanction.
The dismantled foot bridge was reconstructed with side steps, parallel to National High
Way to give access for pilgrim from Hyderabad side and Chennai and Kolkatta side.
Additional footbridge has not been taken up as there is no place for construction. It is also felt
not necessary to provide additional foot bridge as works have been proposed and taken up
for routing the pilgrims directly into the Ammavari Pranganam through Mallikarjunapet.
In this connection, it is also submitted that, the Specified Authority did not agree to
shift the Rajagopuram at the foot of the Indrakeeladri to widen the National High Way at that
place.
4) Construction of Multi Storied Shopping Complex with car parking facility at
Kanakdurga Nagar.
The Specified Authority has deferred this proposal with a view to utilize this place for
arranging Q Lines and prasadam counters during Dasara and Bhavani Deeksha Viramana till
a permanent arrangement is made.
5) Widening of Arjun Street
60 Feet Wide road is now being executed by Vijayawada Municipal Corporation
6) Construction of Fly Over Bridge.
Works have been taken up for the construction of Multi Storied Complex namely
Mallikarjuna Maha Mandapam to accommodate Q Lines and car parking along with Entrance
and Exit ramps to provide one way entry and exit through present Ghat Road.
They are expected to be completed and facilitates made available to pilgrims by
Dasara-2010. It is further submitted that the work of Rajagopuram infront of Ammavari
Temple has been taken up for execution. The top floor of Mallikarjuna Maha Mandapam is
proposed to be merged with the floor level of the Ammavari Temple and the Rajagopuram.
Yours faithfully,

Joint Commissioner&
Executive Officer