Pawan, Anitha focus on Diwali safety

Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha met with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday to discuss law and order and security arrangements in the run-up to Diwali. The meeting, held at the Deputy Chief Minister’s office in Mangalagiri, focused on strategies to safeguard citizens as they prepare for the festive celebrations.
During the discussions, Home Minister Anitha announced the establishment of 185 new fire stations across the state. “These stations will monitor accident-prone areas, and our staff has been directed to remain alert and ready to respond to emergencies,” she stated, emphasising the importance of vigilance during the festive season. To combat illegal firecracker manufacturing, facilities have also been set up to enable police and fire services to report suspicious activities through emergency numbers 100 or 101.
Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan stressed the need for heightened awareness, particularly in the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema District’s Mandapeta Mandal, to prevent incidents similar to the explosions that occurred in Edida village last year.
“We must educate our citizens on the safe use of green crackers during Diwali, especially given the rising air pollution levels across the nation,” he remarked, urging the community to act responsibly.
The Home Minister echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for public awareness following the ‘Diyajalav’ initiative launched by the Union Environment Minister. “We need to sensitise the public in Andhra Pradesh to ensure a safe and eco-friendly festival,” she added.
As part of the discussions, Kalyan inquired about the current health concerns in Vizianagaram district regarding diarrhea cases. Home Minister Vangalapudi responded confidently, stating, “Registrations have significantly decreased, and we have the situation under control.” Furthermore, she assured that police have been instructed to remain vigilant following recent bomb threats at Tirupati and Visakhapatnam airports. “We will ensure a swift investigation into the chaotic conditions that arose during the YSRCP regime, and those responsible will face the law,” Kalyan asserted.
In support of the Home Department’s initiatives, the Deputy CM praised their efforts in organising the police martyrs commemoration week statewide. “The involvement of citizens is crucial in maintaining law and order,” Kalyan emphasised, highlighting the importance of community engagement in crime control efforts.
Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha also addressed pressing development needs in her constituency of Payakaraopeta, requesting permission from the forest department to construct an R&B road from Lingapuram to Kodavatipudi Katta in the Kotavuratla Mandal of Anakapalli district. “We must complete the water grid project in Payakaraopeta promptly,” she urged, appealing to Pawan Kalyan to prioritise critical development projects and collaborate for their timely completion.