Police plays 'Vignaharta' for 'nimmajjan'

HYDERABAD: How did the TRS government manage to ensure the fastest and smoothest immersion of the Khairatabad Ganesh ever on Tuesday afternoon? That's the million dollar question on the minds of surprised citizens who are accustomed to day-long processions, traffic chaos and late immersions.
But this year, even before the Khairatabad Ganesh was installed, the Hyderabad police and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) studied the issue and found that a late start to the procession from Khairatabad could derail the entire immersion process.
So, breaking tradition for the first time, a unique agreement was reached between Ganesh pandal organisers from the Old City and the newer parts of the city, paving the way for immersion of the new city idols first. Before independence, organisers had entered into a pact to give priority to Old City idols as people had to return home before sunset.
“During those days, there were apprehensions of communal attacks. Therefore, it was mutually agreed to allow idols from the Old City to be immersed first. But last year, we changed the system and began early procession of Khairatabad Ganesh,“ said a senior Telangana government official.
“In 2016, the Khairatabad Ganesh was immersed by 2.30 pm. This year we planned to complete the immersion by 12 noon but could finish the process only by 1.45 pm,“ Central Zone DCP Joel Davis told TOI.
The plan, which was also aimed at ensuring that office goers do not get stuck in jams due to delays, saw the authorities hold review meetings with different stakeholders, including Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samiti, TSSPDCL, GHMC, heavy duty crane operators, trailer operators and even welders.
“A minute-to-minute timeline was prepared for the Khairatabad Ganesh idol immersion. The process began at 10.30 am on Monday morning with the removal of the sheets covering the idol and the small Shiva idols. This was followed by the loading of the Ganesh idol onto a trailer in the wee hours of Tuesday, welding of the idol on the trailer, transporting it to NTR Marg, cutting of the support rods and framework, performing puja and then the immersion,“ Hyderabad police commissioner M Mahendar Reddy said.
While ensuring that the Khairatabad idol immersion wraps up by afternoon, the city police also simultaneously focussed on smooth movement of idols in the communally sensitive South Zone by ensuring that the Balapur Ganesh crossed the historic Charminar and Mecca Masjid by 3.05 pm, well before the start of evening prayers.
In fact, the Balapur Ganesh, which used to reach Hussainsagar last, also reached the immersion site before sunset this year, providing a rare double bonanza for devotees and volunteers. “We were surprised to see the Balapur Ganesh reach the immersion site early. During earlier years, the immersion was chaotic with crowds waiting to see the two big Ganesh idols. This year, everyone got a glimpse of both,“ said Radhe Shyam, a volunteer.
“The speedy and peaceful immersion was the result of combined efforts of police, traffic cops, GHMC and other departments. Organisers of Ganesh pandals also cooperated with our schedule,“ the police commissioner added.