Hyderabad Prepares for Ganesh Chaturthi and Milad-un-Nabi Celebrations

Hyderabad: As Hyderabad gears up for Ganesh Chaturthi and Milad-un-Nabi in September, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy called for enhancing the city's image as a symbol of religious harmony.

During a high-level review meeting held at the Secretariat on Thursday, Revanth Reddy highlighted three key areas for ensuring a peaceful celebration: close coordination between Ganesh pandal organisers and government departments, including police, GHMC, R&B, water, drainage, and electricity; assigning senior officials to oversee operations in different zones; and encouraging pandal organisers to obtain necessary permissions online and offline for effective security and traffic management.

Stating that 1.5 lakh idols were installed within the Outer Ring Road limits last year, the Chief Minister suggested exploring alternative immersion sites beyond Hussainsagar, such as local ponds, to reduce congestion.

He also approved the provision of free electricity to Ganesh pandals, provided that proper permissions are obtained in advance, warning that unauthorised electricity use would result in legal action.

The Chief Minister also addressed the participation of VIPs in immersion processions, instructing that the government be informed in advance to ensure proper security arrangements. Additionally, he recommended starting the immersion process early to minimise traffic disruptions.

The meeting covered the upcoming Milad-un-Nabi celebrations on September 16 or 17, with the Chief Minister directing the police to prepare a comprehensive plan to ensure peace and harmony during both events.

DGP Jitender and Hyderabad police commissioner K. Sreenivasa Reddy outlined security measures, revealing that 25,000 personnel would be deployed across the city. They assured that coordination between all departments was in place to guarantee a safe festival.

In response to an appeal from Rajya Sabha member Anil Kumar Yadav regarding the use of DJs in pandals, the Chief Minister stated that all actions should comply with the Supreme Court guidelines. Minister D. Sridhar Babu also urged organisers to adopt eco-friendly idols, in line with environmental considerations and court rulings.

The Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samiti expressed their gratitude for the Chief Minister’s proactive approach, noting that such attention had not been seen in the last decade and appreciating the positive response regarding free electricity.