Hyderabad Ganesh immersion ends peacefully after massive turnout
Hyderabad City Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar confirms the 48-hour Ganesh idol immersion procession ended without incident despite massive crowds.
The grand 48-hour-long Ganesh idol immersion procession across Hyderabad has concluded successfully and without any major incidents. Hyderabad City Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar confirmed the peaceful end to the mega festival on Saturday, noting that extensive preparations were instrumental in managing the massive crowds and ensuring public safety.
Massive Devotee Turnout
The scale of devotion this year was unprecedented, with millions flocking to various sites across the city. Key highlights of the crowd statistics include:
- Khairatabad Bada Ganesh: Approximately 30 lakh devotees visited this iconic idol.
- Balapur Ganesh: Around 15 lakh devotees offered their prayers.
The Commissioner expressed his gratitude to devotees from Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Malkajgiri, Future City, and various other districts of Telangana, as well as those traveling from other states and abroad, for their cooperation in maintaining order.
Unprecedented Security Deployment
To manage the logistical challenges of the procession, a unified command system was implemented. This allowed for seamless coordination across a single commissionerate jurisdiction stretching from Balapur to Hussain Sagar. The security net was massive, involving:
- 20,000 Hyderabad City Police personnel.
- Over 8,000 additional personnel from various districts.
- Specialized units including the Greyhounds, Octopus, and Telangana State Police forces.
Commissioner Sajjanar noted that preparations had begun three months in advance under the guidance of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to ensure a smooth experience for all citizens.
Concerns Over Paper Shooters and Waste
While the event was a success, the Commissioner highlighted certain issues that emerged during the festivities. He noted that the excessive use of paper shooters led to significant waste accumulation on the roads. This became a safety hazard when combined with rain, creating slippery conditions that posed a risk to two-wheeler riders.
"The police department will bring this matter to the government's attention and recommend a complete ban on paper shooters," the Commissioner stated. He also urged organizers and the public to exercise more self-discipline regarding waste disposal during annadanam and to strictly avoid drunk driving.
Looking Toward the Future
In a show of leadership, Commissioner Sajjanar personally inspected major routes—including M.J. Market, Basheerbagh, Liberty, and Tank Bund—on a two-wheeler during the late hours of Friday and early Saturday to monitor traffic and ground arrangements. He also took time to interact with and celebrate with the on-duty police personnel.
A formal debriefing session will be conducted soon to review the effectiveness of this year's arrangements, with the goal of refining planning and improving execution for the 2027 Ganesh festival.