Hyderabad mayor calls for eco-friendly Vinayaka Chavithi, to distribute 3.10 lakh clay idols

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi said that fool-proof arrangements are being made for the smooth conduct of Vinayaka Chavithi festivities from September 18, 2023.

Around 3.10 clay Ganesh idols will be distributed for free of cost through corporates to the people under Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, she said.

Vijayalakshmi convened a preparatory meeting with the officials of various departments, including Police, GHMC, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), R&B, Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL), Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), Health and Fire at the GHMC office here on Wednesday.

The mayor appealed to the people to extend their support for the smooth conduct of the festivities. “We will consider all the suggestions made by the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi (BGUS) with regard to the festivities and take them into consideration. Adequate number of mobile cranes will be deployed by the HMDA in different parts of the city to facilitate Ganesh idol immersion,” she said.

Apart from that, arrangements would be made for erecting barricades on roads, sanitation, public toilets, mobile tree cutting, pruning, health camps, boats, swimmers, continuous electricity supply, street lights, recarpeting the damaged roads, filling potholes, fire extinguishers, drinking water supply etc, Vijayalakshmi said.

Here are the details of arrangements being made various department for Vinayaka Chavithi as follows:

HMDA

HMDA would arrange seven immersion platforms in NTR Marg and Tank Bund, 14 immersion platforms near Tank Bund, eight cranes near People’s plaza, seven immersion platforms towards Buddha Bhavan for Ganesh idol immersion. A helipad would be arranged and cranes at baby pond near Sanjeevaiah Park, apart from distribution of one lakh clay Ganesh idols free of cost in 20 locations across the city.

HMWSSB

Drainage cleaning, manhole repairs, drinking water supply through water cans and packets in 122 locations. Provision of water through vehicle tanks during immersion and also during rallies. Execution of ongoing drain repairs in several parts of the city on war footing.

Medical Health Department

Establishment of medical camps at main junctions in Hyderabad district along with necessary medicines and providing emergency treatment in coordination with ambulance and private hospitals, similarly Ranga Reddy, Medchal and Sangareddy. While zonal commissioners have suggested setting up tents at health camps.

Fire Department

Six firefighting brigades would be placed at 79 places under the division, in the control room.

R&B Department

Setting up of barricading at immersion sites and main rally locations.

Department of Electricity

Provision of uninterrupted power supply and distribution transformers in inadequate numbers. Removal of trees and branches obstructing the power lines on war footing.

GHMC Sanitation

As many as 10,500 sanitation workers would be deployed in three shifts a day, removing idols in a proper manner after immersion in the water bodies. Regular cleaning of mobile, public toilets and steps should be taken by zonal commissioners to identify and make use of Government offices during idol processions, Ganesh pandals and maintain fool-proof sanitation measures during processions.

Engineering Maintenance

Establishment of 74 immersion pools, portable pools in 24 locations, setting up of 27 baby ponds and 23 accelerators.

Distribution of Clay Idols

Free distribution of 3.10 lakh clay idols by corporates under GHMC.

Boats/Swimmer

Apart from 453 Disaster and Response Force (DRF) personnel deployment of 100 professional divers/expert swimmers near 33 ponds in the city.

Street lights

Installation of LED bulbs during Ganesh idol immersion near pandals and processions.

Road Repairs

Completion of potholes and road repairs at zone level. Roads other than the main road (CRMP) were also being repaired and steps were being taken to identify the potholes as per the suggestions given by the police. Ranga Reddy District Collector should take necessary measures to carry out the road repair works in GHMC and other municipalities for the smooth conduct of the Balapur Ganesh idol procession.

Suggestions given by Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Committee

• Free water supply during prasadam distribution by charitable organizations
• Proper maintenance of drains.
• Repair works should be expeditiously completed by the GHMC on roads for procession.
• Pooja materials near the Ganesh pandals should be removed immediately and the waste should be disposed of in a proper manner.
• Crane drivers should work in three shifts and enough stocks of diesel should be kept ready.
• Immersed idols should be removed in a proper manner from the water bodies.
• Clay Ganesh idols should be distributed to every house.
• Banners should be arranged to sensitise the people about utilising the toilet facility in the nearby Government offices.
• Establishment of necessary ladders by GHMC for removal of branches of trees near the electric wires. Steps should also be taken to install street lights in the same way.
• Arrangement of water trolles and water supply for the devotees during the procession.
• The Endowment Minister and Secretary should be present on the occasion of Hindu festival.
• The State Government should announce a specific date for Ganesh Pratistha.
• A WhatsApp group should be maintained in coordination with police, GHMC officials and committee members at circle level.
• Measures should be taken to maintain the water levels in Malkajgiri pond and ensure proper traffic.
• Road repairs should be undertaken from Balapur to Hussain Sagar and apart from repairing the road leading to Dhoolpet.