Godavari: 14,000 Ganesh Pandals Get Permission for Vinayaka Chaturthi
As many as 14,000 organisers have secured the necessary permissions from the police, revenue, panchayat or municipal and electricity officials to erect the pandals.
Kakinada: People across the Godavari districts are gearing up for the Vinayaka Chaturthi festival with great enthusiasm. Thousands of devotees have arranged various types of Ganesh Idols and are decorating streets with vibrant pandals and illuminations.
Devotees are also preparing to entertain onlookers with cultural performances such as Kolatam and other traditional dances.
Compared to last year, a larger number of Vinayaka Chaturthi pandals are being set up across the Godavari districts this year.
As many as 14,000 organisers have secured the necessary permissions from the police, revenue, panchayat or municipal and electricity officials to erect the pandals.
The police rejected some of the applications due to road congestion in such areas, traffic issues etc.
Officials received the applications online with a single window system. Factors contributing to this surge in pandals across villages and towns include new individuals and the approaching local body elections.
Additionally, recent social media campaigns by Hindu organisations highlighting the significance of the festivals within Sanatana Dharma have further boosted the devotees' interest.
Organisers have obtained licences for setting up pandals -- over 2,300 in Kakinada district, 1700 in Konaseema, 3,500 in Eluru, 3,200 in East Godavari and 1900 in West Godavari district.
Apart from these, many devotees are also installing Ganesh idols without obtaining formal permissions. The police are issuing specific guidelines and instructions prior to granting the permissions.
These include refraining from consuming alcohol, steps to avoid traffic disruptions and ensuring there are no DJ sounds.
Rajamahendravaram Traffic DSP Srikanth told Deccan Chronicle that steps have been taken to avoid traffic issues. Special officials have been deployed to clear the traffic and assess the pandals scenario.
Orders have been given to pandal organisers not to obstruct traffic and the people's movement.
East Zone DSP Vidya said there was no problem with the Anaparthi and Mandapeta towns for movement of buses and other vehicles.
Precautionary measures have been taken. Two officers have been deployed for each pandal to address the issues. Eluru SP Prathap Siva Kishore exhorted the organisers to install only DJ Sounds with less sounds.