Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Telangana Accelerates Bhadradri Temple Works Before Major Festivals
Telangana is rebuilding and improving the Bhadradri temple in Bhadrachalam.
Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy visited the temple and checked the progress of the work.
The project includes a new northern entrance, visitor areas, facilities for food and cows, roads and pathways.
Officials were asked to finish the northern entrance before the Mukkoti festival.
They were also told to complete the other temple works before the next Srirama Navami celebrations.
The first phase of the work is expected to cost Rs 276 crore.
Telangana also wants to improve temples and riverfront ghats along the Godavari before the Godavari Pushkarams.
The minister separately said that the Polavaram project could increase flood risks in parts of Telangana and that the issue should be reviewed.
Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy reviewed Rs 351 crore reconstruction works at Bhadrachalam’s Sita Ramachandraswamy temple.
Officials were told to complete the northern entrance before the Mukkoti festival and other works before Srirama Navami.
The first phase, estimated at Rs 276 crore, includes improvements to temple facilities, streets, pathways, ghats and surrounding areas.
Telangana plans to develop temples and Godavari riverfront ghats from Basara to Bhadrachalam before the Godavari Pushkarams.
Ponguleti warned that Polavaram-related backwater levels could threaten Telangana areas and called for a review of the project’s flood impact.
- Who
- Telangana Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, district officials, MLAs, temple priests and representatives of the construction agency.
- What
- The minister reviewed Bhadradri temple reconstruction and development works and raised concerns about the possible flood impact of the Polavaram project.
- When
- The inspection took place on Friday; the northern entrance is targeted before the Mukkoti festival, while other deadlines include Srirama Navami and the June-July 2027 Godavari Pushkarams. The reports differ on whether the next Srirama Navami deadline is April 2027 or April of the following year.
- Where
- At the Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy temple in Bhadrachalam and along the Godavari region from Basara to Bhadrachalam.
- Why
- To improve the temple and surrounding areas before major religious events and to seek consideration of Telangana’s concerns about possible Polavaram-related flooding.
Telangana Government’s Concerns
Project Review Position
Polavaram’s possible impact
Telangana Government’s Concerns
Ponguleti said Telangana is not opposed to Polavaram but wants possible effects on submergence-prone areas to be considered.
Project Review Position
The reports do not provide a response from the Union government or Polavaram authorities to Telangana’s concerns.
Responsibility for flood risks
Telangana Government’s Concerns
Ponguleti alleged that the previous BRS government’s failure contributed to the threat of flooding in the Bhadrachalam region.
Project Review Position
The reports present the allegation but do not include a response from the previous BRS government.
- Total reconstruction cost
- Rs 351 crore
- First-phase estimate
- Rs 276 crore
- Temple works
- The Chitrakuta Mandapam, goshala, annadanam facility, Vista Complex, Sivalayam route, northern entrance, Ramalayam and Mada streets
- Northern entrance deadline
- Before the Mukkoti festival scheduled for December
- Godavari programme
- Development of temples from Basara to Bhadrachalam and construction of riverfront ghats
- Pushkarams deadline
- Godavari Pushkarams scheduled for June-July 2027
- Flood concern
- Ponguleti said future backwater levels could rise 20-25 feet above normal from Bhadrachalam to Mulugu
