Pawan Kalyan inaugurates Kotappakonda-Kothapalem road

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development K. Pawan Kalyan on Thursday inaugurated the newly-constructed Kotappakonda-Kothapalem road.

The road, built at a cost of ₹3.9 crore from Panchayat Raj funds, and stretching nearly 8 km was thrown open to the public after the Deputy Chief Minister unveiled a plaque near the Shiva Stupa at the foothills of Kotappakonda.

Mr. Pawan Kalyan later walked along the road to inspect its quality. The project was taken up following a representation by local MLA Chadalavada Aravind Babu, seeking improved access for Kotappakonda Sri Trikoteswara Swamy temple devotees.

The Deputy Chief Minister had earlier assured the devotees that the road would be completed before Shivaratri. The new road is expected to ease travel for nearly 1.5 lakh devotees visiting Kotappakonda during Shivaratri and benefit farmers and students from nearby Kothapalem and Gonepudi areas. Students of the Gonepudi Zilla Parishad school submitted a petition to the Deputy Chief Minister seeking additional facilities, including a playground.

Meanwhile, Mr. Pawan Kalyan visited the Kotappakonda Trikoteswara Swamy and participated in special religious rituals. The Deputy Chief Minister offered prayers to Lord Kotayyaswamy and took part in the special ‘Padaabhishekam’ conducted in the afternoon.

Temple priests performed Padaabhishekam to the deity in the form of ‘Medha Dakshinamurthy’, sprinkling holy water on the Deputy Chief Minister as part of the ritual. Mr. Pawan Kalyan offered silk garments and fruits to the deity. Vedic scholars later bestowed blessings on him. Under the supervision of hereditary trustee Raja Malraju Ramakrishna, temple officials presented a portrait of the deity to the Deputy Chief Minister.

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After temple darshan, Mr. Pawan Kalyan reviewed the proposed Giripradakshina pathway layout, directing officials to expedite approvals and planning. He later visited the Vanavihari Deer Park, fed spotted deer, and interacted with forest officials about wildlife conservation, bird species, vegetation, and park management facilities.

District Collector Kruthika Shukla, and local leaders were present.