Hyderabad: Hyderabad Police on Thursday reviewed the Ganesh festival strategy with idol makers to ensure the upcoming Ganesh festivities remain peaceful, safe and environmentally friendly. City Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar chaired the coordination meeting at the TGICCC Mini Conference Hall in Banjara Hills.
The meeting followed an earlier interaction with representatives of the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi. Senior police officers and idol makers attended the review to finalise security and traffic arrangements ahead of the festival.
Ganesh festival strategy focuses on safety measures
Sajjanar said authorities must take preventive measures from idol installation to immersion to avoid any untoward incidents. He recalled that nearly 23,000 idols were installed within the Hyderabad Police Commissionerate limits last year, while four transport-related accidents occurred.
He instructed idol makers to follow strict safety standards during manufacturing and transportation. As discussed with the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi, the maximum height of idols will remain limited to 16 feet.
The Commissioner urged artisans to promote eco-friendly clay idols and encourage devotees to choose smaller idols that can be immersed easily. He also directed workshop owners to implement fire safety measures, maintain safe electrical wiring and keep their premises free from hazardous materials.
Sajjanar assured idol makers that Hyderabad Police would coordinate with government departments to provide the required infrastructure.
Ganesh festival strategy includes traffic planning
The Commissioner said police would designate separate entry and exit routes for transporting idols from major manufacturing centres, including Dhoolpet, Jalpally and Mailardevpally.
He advised organisers to avoid moving large idols during peak traffic hours and obtain prior clearance from local traffic police. He also asked idol makers to regularly share booking details with local law and order and traffic police officers to help authorities plan security and transport arrangements.
In addition, idol makers must provide advance information about transport schedules and routes to each pandal. Sajjanar said organisers should prepare transport plans with police to ensure oversized idols do not obstruct overhead power lines, flyovers or Metro infrastructure.
He also directed organisers to use only certified cranes and transport vehicles. Experienced operators must handle loading and unloading operations. He warned that authorities would take legal action against anyone violating the prescribed safety norms.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Tafseer Iqbal, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Joel Davis, Traffic DCPs Kajal Singh and Rahul Hegde, Golconda Zone DCP J. Raghavender Reddy, Shamshabad Zone DCP B. Rajesh, other senior police officers and idol makers attended the meeting.