Hyderabad gears up for Ganesh Visarjan with Grand Security Arrangements
Hyderabad is all set to celebrate Ganesh Nimajjanam, also known as Ganesh Visarjan, with huge crowds and vibrant processions. To keep everything safe and smooth, authorities have deployed around 30,000 police personnel across the city.
Every year, thousands of Ganesh idols are immersed in Hussain Sagar Lake, right in the heart of Hyderabad, along with many other lakes and artificial ponds nearby. Special cranes have been set up around Hussain Sagar to help with the immersion of the idols brought in from various parts of the city.
The festival’s highlight is the grand procession called Shoba Yatra, which attracts lakhs of devotees. This event brings the city to a halt as people gather to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha. The procession starts from Katta Maisamma temple in Balapur and passes through busy streets including the historic old city and central Hyderabad, ending at Hussain Sagar Lake.
To ensure safety, police have imposed traffic restrictions across Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Rachakonda police commissionerates. Security has been tightened near important places like Mecca Masjid, close to Charminar, to prevent any untoward incidents.
Several smaller processions join the main one, making this the biggest Ganesh immersion event after Mumbai. The government has declared a public holiday for government offices and schools in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and surrounding districts like Rangareddy and Medchal-Malkajgiri.
Originally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah planned to attend the main procession but had to cancel due to commitments in Delhi related to the Vice-Presidential election. Hyderabad Police Chief C. V. Anand and other officials are closely monitoring the festivities from a special control centre.
Special attention is given to the Khairatabad and Balapur Ganesh processions, which are major highlights of the festival. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has made extensive arrangements for idol immersion, including setting up 20 major lakes and 72 artificial ponds. Over 134 permanent cranes and 259 mobile cranes are in place to manage the immersions. Thousands of temporary lights and safety measures have been arranged to ensure the event runs smoothly.
Additionally, boats, disaster response teams, and trained swimmers are deployed around Hussain Sagar Lake, along with 13 control rooms for coordination. Hyderabad Mayor Gadwal Vijayalaxmi mentioned that over 1.50 lakh idols have already been immersed in the past three days, and the final day will see about 50,000 more idols, mostly large ones, being immersed.
Transport ministers and officials have been busy reviewing arrangements, emphasizing the importance of sanitation and debris removal from the lakes. Thousands of sanitation workers are working round the clock to keep the city clean after the festivities.
To maintain law and order, police have ordered a 24-hour ban on toddy and liquor shops, including bars in restaurants (except in star hotels and clubs), from early morning on September 6. Traffic restrictions are in place along the main procession routes from Balapur to Hussain Sagar, and diversions have been arranged for vehicles not involved in the celebrations.
People traveling to and from the airport are advised to use alternative routes like PVNR Express Way or Outer Ring Road to avoid delays.
Additionally, officials have encouraged devotees to consider immersing their idols at designated smaller ponds, water tanks, and excavation sites, to ease the crowd at major immersion spots and ensure everyone’s safety.
With all these measures, Hyderabad is beautifully celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi, respecting traditions while ensuring safety for everyone involved.
