Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar during a meeting with elected representatives and officials on the proposed Cauvery Aarti at the Krishnaraja Sagar on Friday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said that a blueprint for ‘Cauvery Aarti’ event will be ready within a week, and there are plans to start the religious event from Dasara this year.
Addressing a press conference after holding a meeting on ‘Cauvery Aarti’ with elected representatives and officials, he said, “We have formed a committee headed by the Minister in charge of Mandya district N. Cheluvarayaswamy to work out the modalities of Cauvery Aarti. This committee will prepare a blueprint over the next 10 days. We have generally discussed Cauvery Aarti like its concept and so on with our leaders and officials.”
Mr. Shivakumar said the committee consists of representatives from the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC), the tourism department, and the Muzrai department, two Deputy Commissioners, two MLAs and MLCs, the CEO of the Mandya zilla panchayat, and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board members. The irrigation department officials will create basic infrastructure for the event, he added.
“Our government has decided to allocate ₹92 crore for Cauvery Aarti, and other departments will also chip in. We are creating a seating capacity for about 10,000 people to watch the event. The committee will decide how many days the Cauvery Aarti will be held. Reports have been given to different departments on the respective activities, and we will incorporate all of them to finalise the plan,” he told reporters.
Planning Authority for Brindavan Gardens at KRS
Mr. Shivakumar, who is also the Minister for Water Resources, said discussions have taken place for calling tenders to upgrade the Brindavan Gardens at Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS). “We have also decided to form a planning authority, including four panchayats. It will not affect the functioning of the panchayats, and the proposed authority will only take care of the planning part and ensure that the proceeds from this project are invested back into these panchayats,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that seven firms have come forward to develop the Brindavan Gardens and are discussing the proposals. “We have put a condition on the bidders to give priority to the local people in the employment,” he said.
When reporters sought to know the launch date of the Cauvery Aarti, Mr. Shivakumar said, “I am keen for its launch this Dasara, and hence we have formed a committee to prepare the blueprint. Let’s see how fast the committee submits its plan.”
On the location of the Cauvery Aarti event, he said, “We have inspected the places and are taking the opinion of the technical committee. The location has to be close to water and have sufficient space for parking and seating. Arrangements for artists and boating activities will also have to be prepared. The committee will decide soon on the location.”
Asked whether there would be entry tickets for ‘Cauvery Aarti’, Mr. Shivakumar said, “There will be paid and free entry options. Also, the public will get the option to offer prayers.”
On the allegations that the ‘Cauvery Aarti’ initiative may create problems for the KRS, he said, “We will discuss it with those organisations who are opposing it. They may have doubts that will be cleared.”
Responding to questions on the encroachment and pollution of the Cauvery river, Mr. Shivakumar said all dams have been surveyed through drones and are marked for maximum levels. The department has also been told to audit the assets, he added.
Published – April 25, 2025 06:57 pm IST
