The Hyderabad City Police has announced the deployment of around 20,000 personnel to ensure security during the Ganesh Visarjan procession on September 25. Extensive arrangements have been established to facilitate a smooth and peaceful immersion of idols after the festival. The police have assured that the immersion process, which started on the third day of the festivities, has been largely peaceful across the city.

According to police officials, a meticulous strategy – termed ‘bandobast’ – has been implemented with consideration for the large influx of devotees expected from Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Malkajgiri, Future City, and surrounding regions. Collaborations with various government departments, including the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the Telangana State Police Integrated Command and Control Centre (TGICCC), have been key to these preparations.

The police have expressed confidence in their ability to manage the expected high turnout, with approximately 25 lakh devotees visiting the Khairatabad Bada Ganesh and an estimated 15 lakh devotees at Balapur Ganesh. Specialised measures and crowd management strategies will be in place at both locations on the final immersion day.

Coordinated Preparation and Community Engagement

Preparation for the event commenced three months in advance, with extensive coordination meetings held by Hyderabad’s Commissioner of Police, VC Sajjanar. Meetings involved idol manufacturers, various government departments, and festival committees to ensure comprehensive adherence to safety protocols and arrangements. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy also conducted a high-level review meeting to establish directives aimed at facilitating a grand yet orderly celebration.

To streamline the process, an online portal for pandal permissions was introduced, resulting in the approval of 14,929 out of 15,426 applications, thus enhancing transparency. The geotagging of all approved pandals and bilingual safety posters are among steps taken to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Recently completed inspections from Balapur to Hussain Sagar provided a thorough assessment of route conditions, including necessary repairs and safety measures along the route, contributing to the preparedness for a smooth procession.

Technology and Personnel Readiness for Safety

The police have integrated state-of-the-art technology to monitor the procession, including over 10,000 CCTV cameras linked to the main control room. Additionally, drones and high-rise cameras are actively monitoring crowd dynamics to assist in the flow and safety during the event. Personnel have been positioned at strategic rooftops to maintain constant communication with command centres.

A comprehensive plan has been devised for emergency preparedness, involving expert divers and rescue boats stationed at significant water bodies to prevent accidents. Ambulances and paramedical teams will be on standby to address any medical emergencies that may arise.

With a focus on maintaining law and order, various units including the Traffic, Task Force, and special units have been allocated across different zones. The deployment includes platoons and companies of the Rapid Action Force to monitor sensitive areas throughout the city while Bomb Detection teams conduct thorough sweeps for safety.

In addition, law enforcement has implemented restrictions on high-decibel audio equipment during the procession to mitigate noise pollution, following guidelines from the Supreme Court. A dedicated effort has been made to protect citizens, particularly women, with the establishment of SHE Teams deployed to address concerns related to safety and harassment during the festivities.

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