Hyderabad City: The Hyderabad City Police, in collaboration with the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi, convened an inter-departmental coordination meeting at the Banjara Hills Auditorium, TSPiCCC, to ensure the seamless execution of the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival, scheduled to be celebrated from September 18th with the final idol immersion on the 28th. Present at the meeting were Mr. CV Anand, City Police Commissioner; Mr. Ronald Rose, GHMC Commissioner; Mr. D.S. Chouhan, CP Rachakonda; Mr. Stephen Ravindra, CP Cyberabad; Mr. Bhagawantha Rao, General Secretary of Bhagyanagar Utsav Samithi, along with representatives from Khairatabad Ganesh Samithi, Electricity Department, RTC, Water Works, HMDA, Irrigation, Metro, and MMTS.
At the outset of the meeting, the floor was opened for discussion, allowing the Bhagyanagar Utsav Samithi to raise several concerns. These included addressing potholes, ensuring proper illumination at specific locations, providing vehicles and tuskers to Mandapam organizers, and arranging for water and food during the midnight immersion. The authorities assured that these issues would be promptly addressed, and they committed to deploying all necessary resources. The members commended the efforts of the Police, GHMC, and other departments.
Commissioner Anand, in his address, stressed the importance of streamlined coordination and information exchange among the Tri-Police Commissionerates. He also urged community representatives to comply with court orders related to idol immersions. The meeting covered various aspects of festival celebrations, idol immersions, procession routes, and other arrangements.
He emphasized the need for timely submission of intimation forms, noting that over 15,000 idols above 10 feet went unrecorded by the police last year. An online facility is available to streamline this process, he added. Proper information would enable all departments to make necessary arrangements without any shortfall. Security measures, CCTV coverage, and other safety precautions were also discussed.
“Numerous devotees will participate in this grand event. All departments must ensure foolproof measures are in place,” he affirmed.
GHMC Commissioner Ronald stated, “Road repair works, illumination, and tree pruning activities are underway.” He also briefed attendees on measures like baby ponds and excavation ponds. A coordination booklet containing contact information for all department officers will be distributed to all stakeholders, he informed. CPs Rachakonda & Cyberabad also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the need for cooperation with the police.
Officials from the electricity department outlined plans for providing transformers and implementing shock-proof arrangements in high-traffic areas. The transport department assured the provision of tuskers and other heavy vehicles. “We have already initiated the requisition for vehicles, which will be stationed at multiple points across the city and manned by RTOs, MVIs, and other officers,” stated Joint Commissioner of Transport Panduranga Naik.
Discussions covered the deployment of cranes, barricading, ambulance and fire brigade services, additional Metro and MMTS services, mobile toilets, water levels, security measures, and other pertinent issues.
Our Citizen Reporter
Bharat Reddy
Telangana
