Banda Cheruvu pond not accessible for immersions

Malkajgiri: GHMC has made elaborate arrangements at Banda Cheruvu, including construction of an artificial immersion pond, for 'Nimajjanam' of Ganesh idols coming from Vinayak Nagar, Old Safilguda, Kripa Complex and DeenDayal Nagar, but delay in completing the culvert on the road from DeenDayal Nagar to Anand Bagh has forced the organisers of Ganesh pandal in the area to take idols to other immersion ponds far away.

The road was closed as the work at the culvert is still in progress. Locals alleged that the lack of coordination among GHMC and other departments resulted in the issue. The culvert works were started after the festival and the road had to be closed during immersion period.

As most of the Ganesh immersions were completed by Wednesday, the immersion pond constructed at Banda Cheruvi could not be utilised by organisers. They had to face a lot of difficulties as the idols were taken to immersion ponds far away from their areas.

Malkajgiri circle Congress party in-charge GD Srinivas Goud criticised GHMC officials for their lack of coordination with other departments. He said that the road under bridge (RUB) being constructed at Anand Bagh was delayed due to lack of coordination between GHMC and railway officials.

The immersion pond constructed at Banda Cheruvu remained useless as the road was closed due to ongoing construction works, he said. The officials could have ensured that culvert works were started earlier to ensure smooth conduct of Ganesh immersions, he said.

GHMC executive engineer Anil Raj clarified that the culvert works began just a day before the festival and road was also laid on the culvert but road could not be opened as water curing was going on. The road would, however, would be opened on the last day of immersion.

Anil Raj said that water was filled up to 10 feet in the immersion to enable immersion of 5-6 ft idols in the pond. Idols taller than 6 ft would be diverted to Safilguda mini tank bund, he said.