Hyderabad police commissioner notifies Vinayak Chaturthi festival rules

Hyderabad: Police commissioner M. Mahender Reddy has notified rules aimed at maintaining peace during the Vinayak Chaturthi festival.

The organisers of Ganesh pandals have been asked to seek police clearance to install idols and to take out processions for immersion. Applications for the purpose would be available at police stations between August 1 and 16, and have to be submitted on or before August 21.

Organisers have to take NoC from the owner of the premises where the idol is to be installed and the same has to be placed in such a way that it does not violate peace and flow of traffic.

No unauthorised electricity connections would be allowed for pandals, the police said. Box type sound systems should be used instead of loud speakers and sound systems should not be used during the night between 10 pm and 6 am as per High Court order.

Those installing idols in the cellars of building complexes and those taking them out for processions would have to apply for clearance. The commissioner categorically stated that in the name of the festival, no collection of 'chanda' would be allowed.

The notification also prohibited the bursting or throwing of firecrackers on public roads and public places from 6 am on August 25 to 6 pm on September 6.