30,000 cops on duty for Ganesh festival in Hyderabad: Anand

About 19,000 police personnel from Hyderabad police wings would be available for these festivities. Additional 8,500 police personnel from other districts, 42 platoons, 10 CAPF companies, and Octopus teams would also take part in bandobust duty. In all, a total of about 30,000 police personnel would be on duty.

He said this while speaking after offering prayers at Khairatabad Bada Ganesh on the second day of the festivities.

He said that it has been a tradition for him as the Hyderabad Commissioner to visit the Khairatabad Ganesh on the second day after the installation of the idol. He mentioned that he has been in touch with the public for about 25 years.

He said that as DCP Central Zone, Additional Commissioner of Police Traffic, and Hyderabad Police Commissioner, he has so far handled Ganesh immersion security arrangements 11 times. He stated that extensive security arrangements have been made by the Hyderabad City Police for the immersion of Ganesh idols on September 6, 2025.

He added that coordination meetings have been held with organizers, Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi, and various government departments.

Out of approximately 11,000 applications, 10,900 Ganesh mandapams have been granted online permissions. He said that efforts are being made to bring the remaining 15,000 idols in Hyderabad city under record, which will make security measures easier.

The immersion processions will be monitored with CCTV cameras, drones, and QR code-based stickers. As it is currently raining heavily, he requested that mandapam organizers be very careful with electricity.

He advised organizers to contact local electricity department officials and get a proper connection, even though free electricity is being provided. He also suggested being careful as wet wood can act as an electrical conductor.

He suggested that mandapam organizers appoint volunteers as a precautionary measure, and they must oversee the barricading. He said that at least two or three volunteers should be at the mandapam at night.

Joint control centers have been set up at important locations like NTR Marg and People's Plaza. On the final immersion day on September 6, a 24-hour joint control center will be operational at TG ICCC in Banjara Hills.

He said that currently, nine cranes have been set up at places like Hussainsagar, Mir Alam Tank, Rajanna Bavi, and NTR Stadium. With the coordination of GHMC, Roads and Buildings, and other departments, this number will be increased to 40 by the final day.

He said that the Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Samithi has promised to start arrangements a day before the immersion and ensure that the immersion is completed by the afternoon on that day.

Around 60,000 to 70,000 people visit Khairatabad Ganesh idol daily. As this year's Bonalu and other festivals were attended by a large number of devotees, there is a possibility that a large number of devotees will also come to visit the Khairatabad Ganesh.

Therefore, he ordered officials to make all arrangements to prevent any stampede. He said that since one to two lakh devotees visit on weekends, more police personnel have been deployed and tight surveillance has been set up. He requested the public, devotees, and Utsav Samithi members to cooperate with the police.

As it is expected to rain for the next ten days, he said that all facilities are being provided to the police personnel on duty. Later, Anand and other officials inspected the routes to the Khairatabad Ganesh mandapam and the barricading system.

As Ganesh idols will start coming for immersion from the third day, they also inspected Tank Bund, Necklace Road, and other immersion points.