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Curbs on Ganesh processions in Hyderabad

Restrictions to be enforced beyond September 5main immersion day.

Hyderabad: The authorities have issued restrictions on the Ganesh festival processions in the city.

The junction at Maitrivanam-Ameerpet and the Oliphanta Bridge at Secunderabad are banned for passage even for small idols. The restrictions will remain in force beyond September 5 — the main immersion day.

The idols, which are beyond 15 feet, have no entry at MJ Market, Khairatabad, Malakpet Road and Punjagutta Flyover due to the Metro Rail viaduct.

The total number of large idols is pegged at 17,000 this year, an increase of over 10 per cent compared with last year. The total number of mandaps will cross the one-lakh mark this year.

At Maitrivanam, the idols coming from Erragadda towards Ameerpet and Secunderabad will be diverted at the Umesh Chandra statue to proceed towards Satyam Theatre and Begumpet. This entire stretch will be converted into a one-way. While vehicles coming from Fatehnagar towards Ameerpet will be diverted at R&B Office, Balkampet Road, via DK Road at GHMC playground.

At the Oliphanta Bridge, the idols from Musheerabad and Seethafalmandi and beyond will be diverted towards Secunderabad and Begumpet at Chilkalguda X Roads towards Alugaddabavi and Rail Nilayam and Sangeeth X Roads.

The diversion of traffic at the Oliphanta Bridge has been extended. The traffic will be allowed on the road under the rail bridge after completion of the Metro Rail work in two months time. The proposed diversion at Maitrivanam will also stay beyond the main immersion day.

This year too, the immersion will start from 6 am to help prevent it from stretching it to the next day. Last year, a total of 15,600 big idols were immersed in the Tank Bund.

Power tariff announced for Pandals
The Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company (SPDCL) announced power tariff for Ganesh pandals on Friday.

The Ganesh festival will be celebrated from August 25 to September 4. SPDCL will supply power for the purpose of illumination of Ganesh pandals.

Up to a connected load of 250 Watts, SPDCL will charge Rs 500, above 250 Watts and up to 500 Watts the charge is fixed at Rs 1,000 and above 500 Watts, Rs 1,500 plus and '750 for every 500 Watts or part thereof.

However, SPDCL said if the applicants opted for a metered supply to the pandals, the same shall be extended as per the rules.

It has warned against hooking directly from the power lines. SPDCL chairman and managing director G. Raghuma Reddy has instructed the department to take necessary steps to motivate Ganesh pandal organisers to avail the power supply through proper channels. He has also requested the organisers to take all the preventive measures to conduct the Ganesh festival peacefully.

17,000 is the total number of large idols expected this year, A 10 per cent increase from the previous year.
The route idols will travel on:
South zone: The main route in the south zone starts from Balapur covering Falaknuma, Engine Bowli, Lal Darwaza, Moghal Pura , Darushifa, Goshmahal, Nampally and Tank Bund.
Central Zone: Another main route starts from Vengalrao Nagar, covering Saradhi Studios, Ameerpet , Panjagutta, Khairatabad and Tank Bund.
East: The idols from Musheerabad and beyond should take the Indira Park route, lower Tank Bund and the Hussainsagar.
North: Those from Begumpet will have to take the Green Lands routes, covering Somajiguda, Khairatabad and Tank Bund.

History of the Khairatabad Laddu

  • Sponsor Malli Babu first donated a 500 kg laddu in 2010 and subsequently increased the laddu’s weight every year.
  • 2011: The laddu’s weight was 2,400 kg
  • 2013: A 5,000-kg laddu donated by Malli Babu was spoiled due to heavy rains and had to be immersed in Hussainsagar.
  • 2015: He presented the largest laddu, weighing 6,000 kg
( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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