Hyderabad: The Khairatabad Ganesh procession began on Friday after technical work delayed the movement of the 69-foot idol. Organisers had planned to start the procession at 6 am.
Workers placed the massive idol on a special Tusker vehicle brought from Vijayawada. They completed welding and other technical work before moving the idol from Khairatabad.
The Khairatabad Ganesh procession will pass through Sensation Theatre, Rajdoot Junction, Telephone Bhavan, Iqbal Minar and Telangana Thalli Junction. It will then move towards NTR Marg.
Officials will immerse the 69-foot idol near crane number 5 on NTR Marg. The festival committee aims to complete the immersion by 2 pm.
Khairatabad Ganesh procession moves towards NTR Marg
Organisers performed the final puja for the idol at 8 pm on Thursday ahead of the immersion. Authorities did not allow DJs this year, so the procession continued with traditional shehnai performances.
Meanwhile, large crowds gathered around Tank Bund and Hussain Sagar for the immersion festivities. Vehicles carrying Ganesh idols from different parts of Hyderabad added to the activity on major roads.
Many devotees reached the area to bid farewell to the Khairatabad Ganesh idol. Crowds also gathered near the Telangana Thalli flyover and the Secretariat.
Police regulated the Khairatabad Ganesh procession route. They also imposed traffic restrictions and strengthened security measures based on crowd movement.
45,000 police personnel deployed for immersion security
Authorities made extensive security arrangements across Hyderabad to prevent untoward incidents during the Ganesh immersion. Around 45,000 police personnel cover four commissionerates, extending from the city outskirts to Hussain Sagar.
In addition, around 1,000 police personnel are deployed around Hussain Sagar. Police teams continue to monitor immersion routes and crowd movement as the Khairatabad Ganesh procession heads towards NTR Marg.
The security deployment covers major procession routes and immersion points. Police teams also manage traffic and regulate access in areas with heavy devotee movement.