GHMC prepares for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations from Sept 7-17

Hyderabad: With Ganesh Chaturthi approaching, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is making extensive arrangements to ensure a smooth and safe festival. The 10-day festival, starting on September 7 and concluding on September 17, will see thousands of devotees participating in the festivities across the city.

On Friday, GHMC officials inspected various ponds and baby ponds in the city, including those in Kukatpally, Pragatinagar and IDL, to review the immersion arrangements. The inspections were aimed at preventing untoward incidents and ensuring the smooth flow of vehicles by setting up parking lots. Officials are also making sure that idols are removed traditionally after immersion.

Focus on safety and convenience

The GHMC has made provisions for uninterrupted electricity and water supply at immersion sites and is working to set up mobile toilets, cranes, health camps and help desks.

“We are committed to completing all necessary works within a week to ensure the convenience and safety of devotees,” stated a GHMC official.

GHMC Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi emphasised the importance of thorough planning during her visit to several areas within the Serilingampally zone. She inspected sanitation, road conditions and pond preparedness, and instructed officials to coordinate efforts to maintain cleanliness and provide a pleasant atmosphere for the festival. “Sanitation must be monitored continuously, and no complaints should arise,” she said.

10% increase in Ganesh pandals

This year, the city is expected to see a 10 per cent increase in the number of Ganesh pandals.

To support this surge, the GHMC, in collaboration with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), is distributing five lakh clay idols to promote eco-friendly celebrations. Minister Sridhar Babu highlighted the importance of using clay idols, following a Supreme Court directive, and urged officials to campaign extensively for their use.

Artificial ponds for immersion

In light of the growing number of idols and to protect the city’s water bodies, the GHMC is setting up several artificial ponds, or ‘baby ponds,’ for the immersion of smaller idols.

Mayor Vijayalakshmi stressed the need to prepare these ponds, particularly the Saki Pond, for the upcoming immersions. She also directed officials to ensure the removal of water hyacinth and other waste from tanks like Gangaram on a war footing.

Cranes and platforms ready for immersion proceedings

To ensure a seamless festival, various government departments, including the police, electricity, transport and sanitation are coordinating closely.

Special arrangements include setting up 22 platforms and 33 cranes for idol immersion at Tank Bund and NTR Marg. Additionally, 100 statical cranes and 150 mobile cranes will be available across the GHMC area.

The Hyderabad Metro Rail and RTC will provide extended services, while the electricity department is preparing to deploy 57 transformers, 22 mobile transformers and over 3,457 electrical staff to prevent any disruptions. Primary treatment centres and 108 ambulances will be stationed near immersion sites to provide immediate medical assistance if needed.

Final preparations and community engagement

As the festival nears, the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsava Samiti and other committees have requested additional measures, including the provision of mobile toilets, drinking water, and food for devotees. They also urged the police to expedite festival permissions.

With a week left before the festival begins, GHMC officials are working around the clock to finalise arrangements, ensuring that the 2024 Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated peacefully and joyously across Hyderabad.