Hyderabad: HYDRAA deployed 51 Disaster Response Force teams and readied 394 trained swimmers as part of its Ganesh immersion safety arrangements across Hyderabad. The agency prepared for large-scale immersion events scheduled for September 25 and 26.
HYDRAA coordinated with various departments to ensure peaceful and safe Ganesh immersion celebrations. As part of the preparations, authorities also removed tree branches along routes used to transport Ganesh idols to pandals.
Meanwhile, three municipal corporations made arrangements for immersion at 103 lakes within their respective jurisdictions. The GHMC and CMC areas accounted for 47 lakes each, taking their combined number to 94.
Another nine lakes fell under the MMC limits. HYDRAA personnel planned to work with the three municipal corporations and other departments at these immersion locations.
The agency deployed 51 DRF teams to support the operations. In addition, 21 bike teams were assigned field duties to prevent disruptions during the immersion process.
Ganesh immersion safety arrangements reviewed by Ranganath
HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath reviewed the Ganesh immersion safety arrangements on Thursday. He directed officials to take precautions to prevent any disruption during the celebrations.
Ranganath asked officials to introduce special safety measures because large-scale immersions were expected on September 25 and 26. Moreover, he directed them to keep trained swimmers available at immersion locations.
He told personnel to perform their duties with devotees’ safety as the primary objective. HYDRAA Additional Director Varla Papaiah explained the agency’s preparations for the immersion programme. He said HYDRAA had readied 394 trained swimmers for deployment.
The swimmers would remain alert in the water and surrounding areas during immersions to prevent untoward incidents. Meanwhile, HYDRAA coordinated the deployment of DRF personnel, rescue equipment and swimmers according to conditions at each immersion centre. Officials worked to complete the arrangements in advance so devotees could participate in immersion celebrations without safety concerns.
Ganesh immersion safety arrangements include boats, swimmers
HYDRAA planned to deploy 50 trained swimmers during each shift at Hussain Sagar. In addition, boats belonging to the Tourism Department would support the immersion operations.
The agency would also deploy six of its own boats for the programme. These resources formed part of the wider Ganesh immersion safety arrangements for major immersion locations.
Trained swimmers would also remain available wherever required at Durgam Cheruvu, IDL Cheruvu, Malkam Cheruvu and Gangaram Cheruvu. Lingam Cheruvu and Dundigal Pedda Cheruvu were also among the locations identified for swimmer deployment based on requirements.
HYDRAA personnel would work alongside staff from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Cyberabad Municipal Corporation and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation.
The coordinated deployment covered the 103 lakes where the three municipal corporations prepared for Ganesh immersion celebrations. HYDRAA’s DRF teams, bike units, swimmers and boats were assigned to strengthen safety measures at the immersion sites.