GHMC Sets Up 74 Artificial Ponds For Ganesh idol Immersion

Hyderabad: The GHMC has readied 74 artificial ponds across the city to facilitate Ganesh idol immersion. Each site has designated in-charges, sanitation staff, cranes and personnel working in three shifts.

These ponds are in addition to 20 major lakes, including Hussainsagar, Saroornagar, IDL, Safilguda and Sunnam, which will host immersions. Of the 74 artificial ponds, 27 are portable prefabricated water tanks, 20 are temporary excavation ponds and 27 are baby ponds.

The prefabricated tanks measure 20 m × 10 m with a depth of 1.5 m and are designed for idols up to 5 feet. Excavated ponds are dug to a depth of 5–6 feet, while baby ponds also allow immersion of smaller idols.

Break-up of artificial ponds:

• Portable prefabricated water tanks (27): Locations include Exhibition Grounds, AS Rao Nagar; Secretariat Nagar; MRO Office, Hayathnagar; Sushma Theatre grounds, Vanasthalipuram; Government College Ground, Riyasatnagar; Laxmeshwar Playground, Jangammet; Ram Leela Ground, Chintal Basti; SBA Garden Road; Ameerpet Playground; and two tanks at Nampally Exhibition Grounds.
• Temporary excavation ponds (20): Sites include Devender Nagar Road; HUDA Bharathi Nagar Park, Hastinapuram; NTR Nagar Market; Friends Colony Shuttle Court; SBH Colony, Saidabad; Bathukamma Bavi, Kandikal Gate; Vaishali Nagar; Narsabaikunta, Mailardevpally; and Sanjeevini Hills, Uppal.
• Baby ponds (27): Spread across lakes including Cherlapally, Kapra, Nalla Cheruvu, Nagole, Mansoorabad, Pathikunta, Neknampur, Necklace Road, Durgam Cheruvu, Malkam, Nallagandla, Gopi, Gangaram, Kaidamma Kunta, Mulkatva, IDL, Boyin Cheruvu, Pragati Nagar, Lingam Cheruvu, Kotha Cheruvu, Safilguda, Banda Cheruvu, Sanjeevaiah Park and Gurunatham Cheruvu.

Officials said these arrangements are aimed at decentralising idol immersions, reducing pressure on major lakes and ensuring smooth festival management.