Hyderabad Transport Department Arranges 2,000 Vehicles For Ganesh Immersion
Telangana’s transport department is arranging around 2,000 vehicles at 14 pooling points for Hyderabad’s final Ganesh immersion procession.
The transport department has set up 14 pooling points across Greater Hyderabad and is arranging around 2,000 vehicles for the final Ganesh immersion proceedings starting Friday. Lorry owners, however, alleged that vehicles were being requisitioned forcibly and said drivers faced considerable physical and mental stress during immersion duty.
Joint commissioner of transport Dr K. Venkata Ramana said a motor vehicle inspector (MVI) and representatives of the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsava Samiti would be stationed at each pooling point. Ganesh pandal organisers requiring vehicles can collect them from these points, and the vehicles will be released after immersion.
“The fitness of the vehicle as well as the driver is checked. A reasonable fare has been fixed to prevent unreasonable demands by transport vehicle owners,” Ramana said.
The department has fixed fares of ₹33,000 for Category-A large trailer vehicles and ₹35,000 for Category-B vehicles. Ramana said the arrangements were aimed at ensuring road safety and preventing untoward incidents during the immersion.
The Telangana Lorry Owners’ Association alleged that the transport department was forcing owners to provide vehicles for immersion duty. The association said drivers were subjected to physical and mental stress as they had to operate vehicles amid loud music and large crowds. It also raised safety concerns over large numbers of people standing on transport vehicles during processions.
The owners said immersion duty also resulted in considerable wear and tear on their vehicles.
