Hyderabad Police to step up security for Ganesh festivities

Hyderabad City Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar directed police officers to put in place robust security arrangements for the upcoming Ganesh festival celebrations and immersion festivities, with a focus on preventing untoward incidents while ensuring that normal traffic and city activities are not disrupted.

Commissioner Sajjanar issued the directions at a preparatory meeting with police officers of the rank of Sub-Inspector and above at the TGICCC Auditorium in Banjara Hills on Saturday. Law and Order and Traffic DCPs briefed the meeting on security measures in their respective jurisdictions, coordination with other departments and deployment plans.

The Commissioner directed Station House Officers to hold regular coordination meetings at the field level with peace committees, pandal organisers and representatives of various departments. Officers were told to ensure visible policing and exercise restraint and patience while interacting with devotees and the public.

Organisers of all Ganesh pandals within the Hyderabad City Police Commissionerate limits have been asked to apply through the app developed by the police and mandatorily geo-tag their pandals. Police will also encourage organisers of high-footfall pandals to install barricades, queue lines and CCTV cameras.

With the merger of the Shamshabad and Rajendranagar zones into the Hyderabad City Police Commissionerate, areas stretching from Balapur to Khairatabad will now fall under the city police’s jurisdiction for the festivities. The Commissioner directed officers to pay special attention to immersion routes from Balapur to Tank Bund and other water bodies.

Advance route clearance was stressed to prevent traffic congestion caused by the movement of large idols and to ensure that tall idols do not come into contact with overhead power lines. Officers were also directed to coordinate with the Cyberabad and Rachakonda Commissionerates regarding the movement of idols entering the city from their jurisdictions.

Special traffic arrangements will be made at high-congestion locations, including Khairatabad, where the Bada Ganesh idol attracts large crowds.

The IT Cell and local police will monitor social media platforms round the clock for rumours and provocative content that could trigger tension during the festivities. The Commissioner warned that strict legal action would be taken against those attempting to disrupt law and order or circulate provocative content.

The Commissioner stressed that meticulous planning and coordination would be essential for the peaceful conduct of the 11-day celebrations.