GHMC, police gear up for Ganesh festival with safety measures

Hyderabad: The GHMC and Hyderabad City Police have begun preparations for the Ganesh festival, which will be celebrated from September 14 with immersion on September 25. GHMC Commissioner RV Karnan held a review meeting on Thursday, August 20, focusing on newly merged areas, while Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar capped idol height at 16 feet and issued safety guidelines after a meeting with idol makers on July 30.

The GHMC will deploy Ganesh Action Teams, round-the-clock sanitation staff, mobile toilets, cranes, boats, ambulances, and paramedics. Road repairs on procession routes must be completed before September 13. A control room at Tank Bund and static and mobile cranes at major lakes will be set up. Siasat.com reports special attention on Balapur Ganesh procession, while Deccan Chronicle mentions convergence meetings in new zones for traffic and public safety.

The Hans India reports that Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar restricted idol height to 16 feet after discussions with the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi. He urged use of clay idols and warned of strict action for safety violations. Dedicated entry and exit routes are designated for idol movement from Dhoolpet, Jalpally, and Mailardevpally, with advance notice required for transport plans to avoid obstructions like power lines and metro structures.