THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the capital city, the festively intoxicating Attukal Pongala festival has kicked off. The ceremony started at 4.30 in the morning. Ministers V Sivankutty, Antony Raju, and Mayor Arya Rajendran said in a press conference yesterday that all preparations have been made to ensure that the historic Attukal Pongala, which will be held on March 7, is conducted flawlessly. Police estimate that Pongala will be more than last year. Extensive preparations have been made by prioritizing women's safety, food security, transport, drinking water, and green protocol. Minister V Sivankutty said that in view of the food safety issues, registration should be required for those who distribute food and drinking water, and they will not be allowed to handle these in an unhygienic manner.
Mayor Arya Rajendran announced that a special inspection will be conducted under the leadership of the Corporation for food safety. City Police Commissioner H Nagaraju said that police in uniform and mufti will be deployed for security, and 120 cameras have been arranged in different parts of the city to record both day and night scenes. District Collector Geromick George informed that potholes which are part of the city gas pipeline have been filled in the city and the work will resume only after the festival.
Dr. Ashwati Special Officer
Sub-Collector Dr. Ashwathi Srinivas has been appointed as Special Officer to coordinate the Attukal Pongala festival. Dr. Ashwati said that steps are in progress to organize the festival smoothly by coordinating the government departments. 8.40 crores are being spent by the government and the corporation on activities related to the festival. 2.50 crore has been granted administrative sanction from LSG department. Mayor Arya Rajendran informed that apart from the amount allotted by the LSG department, the corporation will spend Rs 5.2 crore more.
Other arrangements