Vijayawada: Water sports are likely to be added attraction during Krishna Pushkaralu. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed the officials to organise water sports and arrange AC boats and cruise during the 12-day river festival by setting up 10 parking places. He said food courts will be set up at the apron downstream Prakasam Barrage amidst pleasant atmosphere.

Reviewing the Krishna Pushkaralu arrangements with officials at his residence on Sunday, Mr Naidu said famous delicacies of all the districts should be available at the food court and the pilgrims should feel great about Andhra food varieties. He said that delicacies of other states also should be made available at the food courts.

Mr Naidu said that Prime Minister, Governors, Union ministers, Chief Justice and Chief Ministers of other states will be invited for Krishna Pushkaralu. He said that special programmes will be conducted at Krishna-Godavari confluence at Ferry to focus on the interlinking of rivers.

The Chief Minister appealed to voluntary organisations and residents of Vijayawada to come forward and distribute free food to the pilgrims.

He also suggested taking up water conservation and plantation programmes during the Pushkaralu. Amaravati and Vijayawada should be beautified as blue and green cities to create a festive atmosphere during the Pushkaralu. The Chief Minister said that TTD has been making arrangements to offer free food to one lakh pilgrims daily.

He appealed to rice millers and voluntary organisations to provide free food to devotees by working in coordination with civil supplies department.

Communications advisor Parakala Prabhakar, in-charge DGP N. Sambasiva Rao, CMO chief secretary Satish Chandra, collector Babu A, Krishna Pushkaralu special officer B. Rajasekhar, I&PR commissioner S. Venkateswara and Intelligence additional DGP A.B. Venkateswara Rao were present.