NOB-Telangana news: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu said that the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara is not just a festival for the tribals, but a symbol of Telangana’s heartbeat and self-respect. On 11.01.2026 evening, he reviewed the festival arrangements in Medaram along with Ministers Sridhar Babu, Konda Surekha, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Seethakka, and Adluri Lakshman, and later spoke to the media. Afterwards, he visited the goddesses. He stated that permanent structures are being built to showcase the uniqueness and cultural glory of the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara to the world, ensuring that devotees do not face any difficulties. He explained that the state government is spending Rs.251 crore this year for the festival arrangements, including Rs.150 crore for the festival’s conduct and Rs.101 crore for permanent temple construction works. The Deputy CM explained to the media that all matters related to the expenditure of funds were reviewed in Medaram and decisions were made on the spot. He said that the works would be completed in two days. On average, 85 percent of the festival works have been completed so far. Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu ordered the officials to complete the remaining works by the 15.01.2026. The Deputy Chief Minister informed the officials that they have released the necessary funds for the festival and are sanctioning bills for completed works within 24 hours. He stated that while in the past, 75 crore or 100 crore rupees were spent on the festival’s organization, their government is spending 251 crore rupees. He instructed the officials of the Health, Electricity, and Panchayat departments to remain vigilant until the completion of the festival, and directed all departmental staff and officials to take the festival seriously. Later, Minister Seethakka stated that an average of one thousand vehicles were arriving at Medaram every hour on 11.01.2026. She mentioned that the arrival of vehicles is likely to increase further in the coming days. She revealed that approximately five lakh devotees had visited on 11.01.2026. The Minister clarified that she would be present at Medaram and would supervise the festival arrangements constantly. On this occasion, IT Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu said that there is a need to pay special attention to the movement of people during the festival. He suggested taking precautionary measures with prior planning to prevent incidents like stampedes. He stated that his department is fully prepared to provide the necessary modern technology for crowd control. Subsequently, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said that there is a need to introduce the Medaram festival not only at the state level but also at the global level. He commented that the Medaram festival stands as the heartbeat of Telangana and a symbol of the self-respect of the tribal people. He stated that all the funds and necessary materials related to the festival have been sanctioned immediately. The Deputy Chief Minister revealed that a plan has been made to hold a cabinet meeting at Medaram on the 18.01.2026, coinciding with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s visit. He stated that after their government came to power, they released Rs.150 crore for the supervision of the festival, of which Rs.101 crore was spent solely on the temple. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka called upon everyone to work together to make this Medaram Mahajathara, which the state government has taken up as a prestigious event, a grand success. Deputy Chief Minister holds special review meeting on Medaram Jathara arrangements. Darshan capacity increased with the Medaram Master Plan. On 11.01.2026, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, along with State Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy (Revenue, Housing, Information and Public Relations), Konda Surekha (Endowments), Danasari Anasuya Seethakka (Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, Women and Child Welfare), and Duddilla Sridhar Babu (IT and Industries), held a special review meeting in Medaram to assess the progress of the Medaram Jathara arrangements, which the government has taken up as a prestigious project. During the review meeting, District Collector T.S. Divakara initially briefed the ministers on the details of the Jathara works. He stated that most of the works have been completed and the remaining works will be finished by the 15.01.2026. He clarified that although some works related to the R&B department are slightly pending, all works will be completed within the stipulated deadline despite some delays due to the daily influx of devotees. The Collector informed that as part of the Medaram Master Plan, the Medaram area has been completely divided into core and peripheral areas. He said that the core area has been designed to include only the temple premises. He explained that while the core area was approximately 32,000 square feet during the last Jathara, it has been increased to 54,000 square feet this time. He further stated that while previously about 3,000 devotees could have darshan at a time, this time the master plan has been designed to allow 8,000 devotees to have darshan simultaneously. They said that four media watchtowers have been set up for live coverage of the Medaram Jathara. The Collector explained in the review meeting that the enclosure around the altars has been designed in accordance with tribal culture and traditions, and a total of 8 gates have been constructed. Special sculptures reflecting the tribal lifestyle have been carved on the enclosure walls. Officials explained to the ministers that all the arrangements for the Jathara have been undertaken without disrupting traditions and keeping in mind the convenience of the devotees. Later, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy inquired about the progress of the works from the officials of all departments individually. On this occasion, he issued orders to the R&B department officials to complete all the works within the stipulated deadline. The EE of Panchayat Raj brought the progress of the works related to the Jathara queue lines to the attention of the minister. On this occasion, the officials explained that two queue line complexes are being set up. They stated that the areas with a depth difference of approximately 12 feet between the enclosure and the queue line will be filled with soil and completed by the 15.01.2026. They explained that a total of 1,086 railing fabrications are ready for the queue lines. District Forest Officer Rahul Kishan Jadhav gave an explanation regarding the landscaping works in the temple premises. He said that the works in one part of the back of the temple have been completed, and works are continuing in another area. Officials explained the arrangements related to the electricity department to the minister. They stated that electricity is being supplied to Medaram from two substations and that adequate precautions have been taken to prevent short circuits and power theft. The minister inquired about the sanitation works from the DPO and instructed that the best practices implemented at the Kumbh Mela should be followed in Medaram as well, taking it as an example. He made it clear that there should be no compromise on cleanliness. The RTC DM provided details on the transportation arrangements. He stated that a total of 3,600 buses are being operated from 51 points for the fair. He revealed that while approximately 16 lakh devotees traveled by RTC buses during the last year fair, they are estimating that about 20 lakh devotees will travel to the fair by bus this year. The Mulugu District DMHO department explained the public health arrangements. They stated that a 50-bed hospital has been set up at the TTD Kalyana Mandapam near the main venue, and 30 peripheral health camps have also been established. They further explained that an additional 30 ‘108’ ambulances are being kept available. Responding to this, the minister clarified that specialist doctors should be available 24×7. District SP Sudheer Ramnath Kekan revealed details about the police department’s arrangements. He stated that a total of 13,000 police personnel are being deployed for the festival duties. He said that surveillance has been set up with 480 CCTV cameras and 20 drones, and special teams from neighbouring districts have also been deployed for crime prevention. He added that a contingency plan has been formulated to take immediate action against suspicious individuals. Regarding the temple lighting, officials explained to the ministers that a special agency with experience working with the TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) has been appointed. A lighting prototype was presented to the ministers, who issued clear instructions that the lighting should completely reflect the tribal culture. Later, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said that there is a need to promote the Medaram Jathara not only at the state level but also at the global level. He commented that the Medaram Jatara stands as the heartbeat of Telangana and a symbol of the self-respect of the tribal people. He stated that all the funds and necessary materials for the festival have been sanctioned immediately. He announced that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will be visiting Medaram on the 18.01.2026. He said that after their government came to power, they released Rs. 150 crore for the supervision of the festival, of which Rs. 101 crore was spent on the temple alone. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka called upon everyone to work together to make this Medaram Mahajathara, which the state government has taken up as a prestigious event, a grand success. The meeting was attended by Mahabubabad MP Balram Naik, Pinapaka MLA Payam Venkateswarlu, Finance Secretary Sandeep Kumar Sultania, Endowments Department Commissioner Harish, District Collector T.S. Divakar, District SP Ramnath Kekan, ITDA PO Chitra Mishra, District Forest Officer Rahul Kishan Jadhav, Additional Collectors C.H. Mahender G, Sampath Rao, R&B ENC, Market Committee Chairperson Rega Kalyani, RDO Venkatesh, and other district-level officials.