Hans News Service Vijayawada

VijayawadaMunicipal Corporation (VMC) Commissioner HM Dhyanachandra has directed officials to make comprehensive arrangements for the immersion of Ganesh idols in the city during Ganesh Chaturthi, ensuring that devotees face no inconvenience. The Commissioner on Thursday inspected several immersion points and key locations, including the MG Road Police Control Room, Tummalapalli Kalakshetra Road, Vinayaka Temple Road, Seethamma Vari Padalu, Bhavanipuram Head Water Works, RTC Workshop Road, HB Colony and Vidyadharpuram. At Seethamma Vari Padalu, he instructed officials to keep all arrangements ready well in advance, including vehicles, cranes, lighting, sanitation personnel and other essential infrastructure. He stressed that adequate measures should be taken to maintain cleanliness and ensure the smooth movement and safety of devotees during the immersion process.

Dhyanachandra appealed to citizens to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in an eco-friendly manner and encouraged the use of clay idols to protect the environment. Meanwhile, at a meeting with officials at the VMC headquarters, the Commissioner reviewed safety arrangements at Ganesh pandals, with particular emphasis on fire prevention, electrical safety and the stability of pandal structures.

He directed officials to ensure that every pandal has a 200-litre water drum, sand and CO₂ and dry chemical powder fire extinguishers. He also called for strict precautions while installing lighting, decorations and electrical connections, warning against loose wires and short-circuit risks. Town planning officials were instructed to regularly inspect the stability of pandal stages. Dhyanachandra urged organisers and devotees to cooperate with officials in implementing safety measures.

He also directed organisers to provide separate dustbins for wet, dry and floral waste. Flower waste should be collected separately and handed over to the VMC for recycling into products such as incense sticks and dhoop sticks. Additional Commissioner (General) A Ravindrarao was appointed as the nodal officer to coordinate safety, sanitation and other arrangements at Ganesh pandals and ensure coordination among various departments.

Zonal Commissioner N Srinivas, Chief Medical Health Officer Dr Nirmala Glory, Deputy City Planner Chandrabose, Deputy Director (Horticulture) Chandrasekhar, Executive Engineer Srinivas, Assistant Medical Health Officer Dr Annapurna, Estate Officer A Sridhar, Assistant City Planners Rambabu, Mohan Babu and Ratnababu, SFO Naresh and other officials were present.