Safety First: Hyderabad officials warn ahead of Ganesh Festival amid electrocution risks

Hyderabad: With the 11-day Vinayaka Chavithi celebrations around the corner, authorities in Hyderabad are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a safe and smooth festival.

BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and TGSPDCL CMD Musharraf Faruqui IAS have called for strict safety measures, coordinated arrangements, and public awareness amid recent electrocution incidents during Ganesh idol processions.

CMD Musharraf Faruqui appeals for electrical safety

Faruqui expressed grief over deaths in three incidents at Ramanthapur, Bandlaguda and Amberpet and urged pandal organisers and the public to take proactive precautions. He stressed that while the electricity department was not at fault, safety measures could prevent future tragedies.

Faruqui inspected the Bandlaguda procession site and instructed electricity officials to ensure no faults exist along procession routes.

Projects to replace dangerous LT/11KV overhead lines with AB cables are underway in Greater Hyderabad, alongside a special drive to remove hanging cables as per Deputy CM directives.

Key safety guidelines include:

- Plan idol procession routes carefully based on height; consult the electricity staff.

- Maintain at least two feet distance from power lines.

- Exercise caution with cranes, trucks, or tall metal idols.

- Limit decorations with metal frames.

Pandal precautions include:

- Connections must be made only by TGSPDCL staff; climbing poles is prohibited.

- Use ISI-marked wires and install MCBs; avoid joined wires.

- Inspect surroundings carefully and keep children away from electrical equipment.

- Report shocks immediately and seek medical help.

- Inspect wiring daily, especially during rain.

Emergency Contact: Call 1912 or the nearest Fuse Off Call Centre for emergencies.

Minister Ponnam Prabhakar reviews festival arrangements

Prabhakar, who is also the Hyderabad in-charge minister, called for full coordination among the police, GHMC, electricity, and R&B departments.

He emphasised that district administrations must take precautions at pandals to prevent traffic and related issues and ensure vehicles and an uninterrupted power supply for organisers.

The minister recalled that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had provided free power supply for pandals last year and assured similar support this year.

Municipal plans and road safety

GHMC officials presented a detailed action plan with cutoff dates for all festival-related work, including Ganesh idol immersions in lakes and ponds across the city. Priority has been given to repairing potholes using concrete to ensure smooth movement of devotees.

Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi general secretary Ravinuthala Shashidhar lauded the municipal authorities for preparing a structured plan with deadlines.