Karthigai Deepam fest: Collector inspects works

The Collector, accompanied by DRDA (District Rural Development Agency) project director P Jayasudha, trainee Collector M Prathap and RDO Umamaheswari, inspected the works undertaken by various departments by travelling on a battery-run vehicle.

The works included erection of 400 LED lamps, installation of 70 CCTV cameras, temporary toilets, rest sheds, removal of encroachments on the path and construction of proper footpaths and water facilities at various locations on the girivalam route.

During the inspection, Kandasamy advised residents and shopkeepers to ensure that there were no encroachments and police ordered to remove the same, if found any.

The three-hour inspection started from Anna Arch on Vellore Road and ended near the Esanya Maidan near the bus stand. The Collector also inspected 60 withered trees on the path, which were being sculpted to make it look like animal and birds by a team from Puducherry.

A detailed plan has been chalked out to regulate nearly 30 lakh devotees, who are expected to turn up for the festival at Arunachaleswarar Temple, which will begins from Novemebr 14 (Wednesday) and conclude with the lighting of Barani and Maha deepams at the temple and atop the Annamalai hills on November 23.