20,000 cops, 10,000 cameras for massive Ganesh immersion

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has made elaborate arrangements to ensure that the Ganesh immersion procession in Hyderabad is conducted peacefully and safely, said Hyderabad in-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar.

Speaking during the Ganesh immersion procession, the minister said the 11-day Ganesh Navratri celebrations had passed off peacefully across the city. He urged organisers and devotees to conduct the immersion with devotion and restraint, ensuring that there were no untoward incidents or inconvenience to the public.

According to the minister, the government has coordinated with the Police, GHMC, Revenue, Electricity, Traffic, HYDRAA, Water Board, Medical and Transport departments to monitor the situation and ensure smooth conduct of the immersion procession.

Ponnam said, “Around 20,000 police personnel have been deployed for security along the Ganesh immersion procession routes. Authorities are also using around 10,000 CCTV cameras and 24 drones for continuous surveillance.”

He said special water camps and drinking water facilities have been arranged along the major procession routes. The GHMC has deployed Ganesh Action Teams (GATs) and thousands of sanitation workers to maintain cleanliness along the routes and at immersion points.

“Around 770 sanitation workers will remain on duty round-the-clock at immersion locations, while approximately 6,000 sweeping personnel have been deployed for garbage removal,” said Ponnam Prabhakar.

Authorities have also made 287 mobile toilets available around immersion points and procession routes for 24 hours. The government has arranged 280 cranes at major lakes, ponds and immersion locations to facilitate the safe and speedy immersion of idols.

Special rescue teams, trained swimmers and boats have been deployed by HYDRAA at Hussain Sagar and other immersion locations.

Temporary lighting arrangements have been made at key locations, with 43,270 lighting points installed around lakes, ponds, procession routes and roads leading to immersion points.

The Metro Rail, TGSRTC and Railways have also made special arrangements to facilitate the movement of devotees. The Electricity Department has made arrangements to ensure uninterrupted power supply along the procession routes.

Authorities have established 12 joint control rooms in coordination with the Police Department. Aerial surveys were also conducted in required areas to assess ground conditions and provide instructions to officials.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Hans India