Thousands take holy dip in Godavari on second day

Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh), July 15: Thousands of pilgrims took holy dip in Godavari river here on Wednesday as authorities took steps to improve crowd management, a day after 27 people died in a stampede. Shaken by the tragedy on the first day of Godavari 'maha pushkaralu', the administration overhauled the arrangements, roping in additional police forces to control the crowds. Staying back in the town, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu personally monitored the proceedings at six bathing ghats with top officials to avoid overcrowding at one place. Naidu was monitoring the situation from police control room and giving instructions to officials. Pilgrims were thronging Kotalingala Ghat since 2 a.m. The police were sending pilgrims in batches to prevent stampede. Director General of Police J.V. Ramudu was supervising the arrangements at the ghat. The administration in Rajahmundry was able to regulate the crowds by ensuring that the pilgrims maintain queues. Officials said four lakh people took the holy dip till Wednesday noon at various ghats in this town in East Godavari district.