Hyderabad Police to step up security for Ganesh festivities

Hyderabad's City Police Commissioner, V.C. Sajjanar, has instructed officers to strengthen security measures for the upcoming Ganesh festival festivities, with a strong emphasis on averting any untoward incidents while avoiding disruptions to regular city operations. This directive was communicated at a preparatory meeting held at the TGICCC Auditorium in Banjara Hills on Saturday, attended by police officers of Sub-Inspector rank and higher.

The Law and Order and Traffic Deputy Commissioners updated the meeting on security protocols, coordination with other departments, and deployment strategies within their respective areas of responsibility. Commissioner Sajjanar emphasized the importance of regular field-level coordination meetings between Station House Officers, peace committees, pandal organizers, and representatives from various departments.

Officers were reminded to maintain visible presence and exercise patience while dealing with devotees and the public. Organizers of all Ganesh pandals within the Hyderabad City Police Commissionerate's jurisdiction have been mandated to use the police-developed app to geo-tag their pandals. To accommodate pandals with high footfall, police are encouraging organizers to install barricades, queue lines, and CCTV cameras.

The merger of Shamshabad and Rajendranagar zones into the city police's jurisdiction for the festivities means that areas from Balapur to Khairatabad will now be under the city police's control. Officers have been directed to pay extra attention to immersion routes leading to Balapur and Tank Bund, as well as other water bodies, stressing the need for advance route clearance to prevent traffic congestion caused by large idols.

Coordination with Cyberabad and Rachakonda Commissionerates is essential for managing the movement of idols entering the city from their jurisdictions. Special traffic arrangements will be implemented at congested locations, such as Khairatabad, where the Bada Ganesh idol draws large crowds. The IT Cell and local police will monitor social media platforms continuously for rumors and provocative content that could lead to tension during the festivities.

The Commissioner has warned that strict legal action will be taken against those attempting to disrupt law and order or spreading inflammatory content. The Commissioner stressed the significance of meticulous planning and coordination for ensuring a peaceful conduct of the 11-day Ganesh celebrations.