Hyderabad is preparing to say goodbye to Lord Ganesh as the 11-day festival concludes. Idol immersions will take place at Hussain Sagar and other designated areas, following the major Ganesh Shobha Yatra and smaller city processions on Tuesday. Authorities have ensured tight security for the event, with the city transforming into a vibrant spectacle as thousands of devotees partake in the festivities.
A massive police presence of over 29,000 officers, supported by paramilitary units, will oversee the immersion processions. With both Ganesh festivities and Milad-un-Nabi coinciding for the third year, special security measures are in place, especially in the sensitive regions of the Old City.
Preparations for sending off Ganpati were in full swing on Friday. The 69-feet Khairtabad Bada Ganesh will be immersed at Bahubali Crane 4 in Hussain Sagar, followed by the Balapur Ganesh and other significant idols from various city areas. Detailed plans ensure smooth immersions at Hussain Sagar and other lakes.
The city is adorned for the idol immersions, with security and traffic controls along the routes. The massive Khairtabad Maha Ganesh procession starts at around 9 am, reaching NTR Marg by 1:30 pm, with immersion concluding by 2 pm. Various departments like GHMC, HMWS&SB, HMDA, and others have deployed resources to ensure no delays.
The Balapur Ganesh pandal, Hyderabad’s oldest, leads a 19-km procession from Balapur to Hussain Sagar, with nearby areas joining in. Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi reports over 1.5 lakh Ganesh idols were placed citywide this year.
In light of Ganesh immersions and Milad-un-Nabi, heightened security is in place, particularly around Mecca Masjid and other sensitive Old City areas, monitored by three Police Commissionerates. Patrols have intensified to maintain peaceful celebrations.
Hyderabad City Police Commissioner C V Anand confirmed all preparations for the idol immersions are complete. The process is expected to span 40 hours, with 50,000 idols immersed at Tank Bund alone. Robust security measures, including 29,000 officers, extra 250 cameras, and six drones, will monitor the event. Additional precautions involve anti-sabotage checks, social media surveillance, and deploying specialized teams and equipment.
A ban on DJs has been enforced this year due to past incidents involving health risks and fatalities.
Various departments have set up platforms at NTR Marg, People’s Plaza, and Buddha Bhavan for idol immersions. Officials like Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi, and GHMC Commissioner RV Karnan inspected the Hussain Sagar arrangements, confirming readiness for Saturday’s immersions.
Citizens are urged to avoid using colored paper bits during the processions, as they harm the environment and pose challenges for removal, causing inconvenience to commuters.
