The common man and poor pilgrims are being neglected by the officials at Bhadrachalam.

The temple authorities and the district administration have made arrangements to conduct Sri Rama Navami and Pushkara Pattabhishekam on April 12 and 13. But they are neglecting common pilgrims in providing lodging, drinking water and sanitation. All the officials and staff of the various government departments, police, revenue, endowments, I&B and other district officials and their subordinates have occupied the cottages and lodges in and around Bhadrachalam.

In addition to them, more than 330 priests have also arrived for the week-along celebrations along with China Jeeyar Swami. They were allotted all the temple rooms. The remaining guest houses were allotted to donors and their relatives. In all, 15 to 20 lodges have been handed over to the police and revenue departments in the name of security. A large number of rooms in all the lodges have been occupied by the police officers from Khammam and Warangal districts who arrived for security duties.

The remaining rooms have been occupied by the revenue and other concerned departments. Some other rooms were allotted for VVIPs, the people’s representatives and their aides. One or two lodges have been excluded for devotees, but the lodge owners hiked the room rents. For one day, they are charging Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000 based on the demand. Common devotees are not in a position pay such a range of rents. The managements of these lodges have allegedly been supported by the temple authorities with political pressure.

The district administration and temple authorities have failed to fulfill at least their earlier assurances. They said that 12 large temporary tents would be arranged in the town. But they have arranged only one on the roof of the Thanisha mandapam so far.