Beef up security, ensure all amenities: Mayor Bonthu Rammohan

Hyderabad: Mayor Bonthu Rammohan on Tuesday called upon various departments concerned to work in coordination with the Ganesh Utsav Samiti for ensuring immersion of idols without any problems.

Participating in a review meeting in his office along with GHMC Commissioner Lokesh Kumar, Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar, Additional Commissioners Anil Kumar and Chouhan, representatives of the Samiti, and officials of various departments, Rammohan pointed out that although the immersion of Ganesh idols was taking place successfully every year, new methods have to be adopted now.

The Mayor said additional forces and basic facilities were being deployed this year. He impressed upon officials to ensure that wrong propaganda by the social medias was not taken cognisance of and information about those who send such messages should be secured.

The new GHMC commissioner told the meeting that elaborate arrangements, like deployment of 254 cranes at various spots, were being made to ensure that the immersion of idols takes place smoothly. He said special sanitation programmes would be taken up at various Ganesh pandals in the twin cities from September 2 to 12.

Lokesh Kumar stated that 30 per cent additional facilities were being provided this year. An amount of Rs.8.24 crore was being spent for providing cranes and vehicles, Rs.9.2 crore on road repairs and cleaning of water bodies where idols are to be immersed. He said Ganesh action teams were being specially deployed for overseeing sanitation during the 'Shobayatra'.

According to the GHMC Commissioner, fogging and spraying would be taken up at the Ganesh idol immersion spots. An amount of Rs.1 crore was being spent on 36,674 additional lights. As many as 115 teams with 191 members would be involved in regular monitoring of lighting. Special medical camps would be organised.

Officials of HMWSSB said over 30.53 lakh water packets would be distributed at 115 special camps. The Police Commissioner said there was a possibility of more than 40 lakh idols (immersed last year) being immersed now. About 20,000 police personnel, five companies of CRPF would be deployed for law and order duty.