CM reviews security arrangements for Ganesh festival

Hyderabad, September 7 (INN): All fool-proof and tightest security arrangements are being made for the Ganesh festival in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday reviewed the arrangements with the Police and other top officials at the State Secretariat. He asked the police to ensure peaceful conduct of the festival.

He asked the officials to publicise route map of the Ganesh idols procession at least a week days in advance so that public are well aware of the traffic diversions.

He assured to look in to the matter of providing compensation to the families of those who lost their lives during the Ganesh immersions earlier.

The Chief Minister sought the cooperation of the citizens in general and the people connected with the immersion festival in particular to see that peace and order prevailed during the festival.

He laid special emphasis on the communal harmony and said the peace-loving people of the city should ensure smooth conduct of the festival.

Officials briefed about the arrangements being made in connection with the festival. An amount of Rs 22 crores is being spent in the city towards filling of potholes, repairs to roads, illumination and sanitation.

The Irrigation Department officials said that 364 cranes along with the requisite staff are being deployed. Barricading en-route Ganesh procession will be provided and steps will be taken to clear stones, debris in the streets and illumination of streets en-route the procession will be taken up.

Boats and swimmers on the day of immersion are also being provided. Ambulances and medicines along with para medical staff are being arranged.

Required numbers of fire engines are also being kept readily available. Uninterrupted power supply in old city and various immersion points is being ensured.

Drinking water is being provided en-route the procession. Adequate number of vehicles will be made available to the organisers. Special buses and MMTS service will be arranged on the day of immersion.

Speaking on the occasion, Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sarma said that peace committee meetings are being organised at the mohallah level to ensure peace and tranquility in the region.

Additional forces have been requisitioned to ensure smooth conduct of festival. Control room is being set up to monitor on a regular basis.

The Chief Minister asked the police officials to systematically plan and meticulously evolve a strategy to ensure that no untoward incident takes place and there is absolute peace in the city.

He also asked the Commissioner, Information and Public Relations and Police Officials to jointly organise a meeting with the media persons to enlist their cooperation for the smooth conduct of the festival.

Ministers Sabita Indra Reddy, Dr J Geeta Reddy, DK Aruna, M Mukesh Goud, M Maheedhar Reddy, G Prasad Kumar, Kondru Murali Mohan, Chief Secretary Minnie Mathew, Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi members Balwanth Rao, former Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and other officials attended the meeting.