Rising water level in Godavari hinders Ganesh idol immersion

Kothagudem: The rising water level in the Godavari has been causing hindrance in the path of idol immersion for which a heavy police bandobast was made. The water has reached the bathing ghats on Wednesday.

District Superintendent of Police Sunil Dutt told The Hans India that heavy security, with three DSPs, five Circle Inspectors, 10 Sub-inspectors and 200 constables, was deployed at the immersion spots to prevent any untoward incident.

“Besides, armed police would be on the move all through the day,” he said adding that already 120 trainee constables were on bandobast duty for the last six days. The SP stated that the route map indicating the town’s entry/exist points has been prepared.

Ganesh idols from Warangal, Hyderabad and Nalgonda districts are being brought to the Godavari here. The immersion programme will be more vigorous from September 2 to 4. The Devasthanam is preparing one lakh laddus for distribution during the three days.

With the gradual rising levels in the Godavari in the last 24 hours, the district officials are focusing attention on alternative immersion facilities. Although more devotees brought idols here on Wednesday, no steps were taken to deploy expert swimmers at the spots.

This has attracted criticism from the devotees and the common public alike. Also, with no warning boards at the bathing ghats, devotees are disregarding precautions, giving scope for accidents caused by lack of proper assessment of the water level/depth.