Adilabad: To ensure that the Godavari Pushkaralu is a grand success even if the monsoons are delayed, the Telangana government will take help (regarding water) from Maharashtra.

The minister for endowments, Indrakaran Reddy, told DC that the state would ask the Maharashtra government to release water from Vishnupuri and Jayakwadi dams to Nizamabad and Adilabad districts, if there were no rains by the time the Pushkaralu commenced on July 14.

Mr Reddy also expressed confidence that all construction works related to the Pushkaralu would be complete one month before the event. It is anticipated that there will not be enough water in Godavari for devotees to take holy dips if the rains are delayed as long stretches of the river have already dried up in the district.

District Collector M. Jagan Mohan said 23 places on the banks of the Godavari had been identified for the Pushkaralu in the district and professional swimmers and boats would be deployed at the ghats to prevent any untoward incidents.