Hans News Service Hyderabad

Aheadof upcoming Ganesh festival, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has intensified preparations for the Festival, with special focus on the newly added circles, zones and newly incorporated areas that are expected to witness significant movement of Ganesh idols and devotees during the celebrations and immersion.

Vinayaka Chavithi will be celebrated on September 14, while Ganesh Nimajjan is scheduled for September 25.

GHMC Commissioner RV Karnan on Thursday convened a review meeting at the GHMC head office with Additional Commissioners, Zonal Commissioners and Heads of Departments to review the comprehensive arrangements for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the festival.

As part of the advance preparedness, all Zonal Commissioners have been directed to conduct zonal-level convergence meetings with internal GHMC departments and line departments, including the Police, Fire Services, Irrigation, TRANSCO, R&B, HMWSSB, HMDA, DM&HO, Metro Rail, HRDC and Tourism Department.

Special convergence meetings will also be held in the newly added circles and zones, with particular attention being given to procession routes, immersion points, traffic management, sanitation, street lighting, uninterrupted power supply, medical facilities, emergency response and public safety.

The Balapur Ganesh procession and immersion arrangements will receive special attention, with coordinated planning involving the Utsav Committee, Police and all other line departments. A dedicated coordination mechanism will be put in place to promptly address issues related to roads, barricading, cranes, electricity, water supply, sanitation and emergency services.

GHMC will operate a Control Room for real-time coordination, monitoring and quick response throughout the festival and immersion period. The civic body will also set up a Control Room at Tank Bund, while static and mobile cranes will be deployed at major lakes, tanks and other immersion locations.

To ensure smooth arrangements, GHMC will deploy Ganesh Action Teams at regular intervals, round-the-clock sanitation personnel, mobile toilets, fogging teams, cranes, boats, swimmers, lifesaving equipment, ambulances and para-medical staff.

The Commissioner directed officials to complete road repairs along major procession routes before September 13, a day ahead of Vinayaka Chavithi. Crane-related works and other essential arrangements are also targeted for completion by the same date.

With the coordinated efforts of GHMC, Utsav Committees and all line departments, the civic body aims to ensure a safe, clean, well-coordinated and hassle-free Ganesh Festival and immersion, with special emphasis on the newly added areas and the Balapur procession.