30 Lakh Devotees Visited Khairatabad, 15 Lakh Balapur Ganesh Idols: Sajjanar
Sajjanar said it was a big challenge for the police department to make security arrangements on a massive scale to the immersion of Ganesh idols
Hyderabad: A whopping 30 lakh devotees and 15 lakh devotees visited the popular Khairatabad and Balapur Ganesh idols during Vinayaka Chavithi festival commenced on September 14, said Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar here.
The police department has made elaborate security arrangements for the peaceful conduct of the festival. A meticulous planning in coordination with all stakeholders including GHMC, Hydraa, TGSPDCL and other wings ensured successful completion of the immersion in Hussainsagar.
As Balapur is now in the limits of Hyderabad Police Commissionerate, the task of making arrangements for early commencement of procession from the pandal became easy. Similarly, the procession of the tallest Khairatabad Ganesh idol also started quite early.
While Khairatabad Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), K Shilpavalli supervised security arrangements at Khairatabad Ganesh idol, Shamshabad DCP B Rajesh monitored the arrangements at Balapur Ganesh idol.
“We ensured seamless darshan to devotees at Khairatabad and Balapur idols even though the turnout increased every day during the festival,” he said while speaking to media persons at Telangana Talli statue on Saturday afternoon.
The 20,000 police force of Hyderabad Commissionerate coupled with 8000 personnel from other district and those drawn from other wings helped in making fool-proof arrangements for the festival with a special focus on centralized immersion that commenced from Balapur.
Sajjanar said it was a big challenge for the police department to make security arrangements on a massive scale to the immersion of Ganesh idols.
The planning made for the last three months yielded positive results. Sajjanar expressed happiness for the successful conduct of the immersion and thanked the people for assisting them during the immersion.
Meanwhile, the Hyderabad police lifted traffic restrictions at Telangana Talli statue in the afternoon after the immersion was concluded. As the immersion concluded peacefully, the police celebrated it by dancing to the folk songs.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar also danced with the police personnel. The Task Force police lifted Sajjanar on their shoulders and danced with him on a song from the latest movie “The Paradise”.
The police imposed traffic restrictions in the morning as a long queue of vehicles carrying Ganesh idols were seen from Abids to Tank Bund and NTR Marg drawing sharp criticism from motorists.