Government to make extensive arrangements for Muharram procession, says Ponnam

Hyderabad: The Telangana government will make extensive Muharram procession arrangements for the observance scheduled on June 16, Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said.

The Minister reviewed preparations at a meeting held at the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat along with Minority Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin and Government Adviser Mohammed Ali Shabbir. Officials from various departments and Muslim religious leaders also attended the meeting.

Ponnam said all departments must work in coordination to ensure the smooth conduct of Muharram events across the city.

Muharram procession arrangements include security and civic measures

The Minister directed officials to establish police pickets at Ashurkhanas where Muharram programmes will be held.

He also instructed departments to complete pending drainage and road repair works near Ashurkhanas without delay. In addition, authorities were asked to install high-mast lighting facilities at key locations.

Ponnam directed electricity officials to provide special illumination arrangements. Similarly, Water Board officials were instructed to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply.

He asked GHMC authorities to closely monitor sanitation activities and provide mobile toilets and other essential civic infrastructure.

The Minister also directed Roads and Buildings Department officials to install barricades wherever necessary.

Muharram procession arrangements focus on public convenience

Ponnam instructed senior police officials to take preventive measures to ensure that the procession does not disrupt traffic movement.

He also called for strong security arrangements around the Bibi Ka Alam route, from where the main Muharram procession will commence.

Government Adviser Mohammed Ali Shabbir said authorities should ensure that devotees visiting Ashurkhanas face no inconvenience. He further suggested the deployment of medical camps and ambulances at important locations.

Rajya Sabha member Anil Kumar Yadav, Minority Residential Educational Institutions Society Vice Chairman Faheemuddin Qureshi, legislators from Charminar, Bahadurpura, Yakutpura, Nampally, Karwan and Malkajgiri constituencies, MLCs Mirza Riyaz-ul-Hasan Effendi and Mirza Rahmat Baig, Wakf Board representatives and senior government officials attended the review meeting.