Hyderabad: HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath reviewed Ganesh immersion safety arrangements across Hyderabad on Thursday. He directed officials to prevent any disruption during the celebrations.
Ranganath asked officials to introduce special safety measures for the large-scale immersions scheduled for September 25 and 26. He also directed them to keep trained swimmers ready at immersion locations.
HYDRAA deployed 51 Disaster Response Force teams and readied 394 trained swimmers for the operations. The agency also coordinated with several departments to ensure safe and peaceful immersion celebrations.
As part of the preparations, authorities removed tree branches along routes used to transport Ganesh idols. The step aimed to support smoother movement towards immersion points.
The three municipal corporations prepared 103 lakes for immersion within their jurisdictions. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and Cyberabad Municipal Corporation accounted for 47 lakes each.
The remaining nine lakes came under the limits of another municipal corporation. HYDRAA personnel planned to work with the civic bodies and other departments at these locations.
The agency deployed 51 DRF teams to support the operations. In addition, officials assigned 21 bike teams to field duties to prevent disruptions during immersion processions.
Ganesh immersion safety plans include swimmers and boats
Ranganath said trained personnel should remain ready because large crowds were expected during the immersion events. He stressed that the safety of devotees remained the primary objective.
HYDRAA Additional Director Varla Papaiah explained the agency’s preparations for the programme. He said HYDRAA had readied 394 trained swimmers for deployment.
The swimmers would remain alert in the water and nearby areas during immersions. Meanwhile, HYDRAA would coordinate DRF personnel, rescue equipment and swimmers based on conditions at each location.
Officials were asked to complete advance arrangements so devotees could participate in immersion celebrations safely. The coordinated Ganesh immersion safety plan covered all identified immersion sites.
HYDRAA planned to deploy 50 trained swimmers during each shift at Hussain Sagar. Boats from the Tourism Department would also support rescue and safety operations.
In addition, the agency planned to deploy six of its own boats for the programme. These resources would strengthen safety measures at major immersion locations.
Trained swimmers would remain available at Durgam Cheruvu, IDL Cheruvu, Malkam Cheruvu and Gaman Cheruvu. Likewise, swimmers would cover Gandipet, Langar Houz and Dundigal Pedda Cheruvu.
Deployment would change according to requirements at different locations. HYDRAA personnel would also work alongside staff from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and Cyberabad Municipal Corporation.
The arrangements also included support from the Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation. Together, the agencies would cover the 103 lakes prepared for Ganesh immersion celebrations.
HYDRAA’s DRF teams, bike units, swimmers and boats formed the main safety network for the immersion operations. Officials were directed to maintain coordination throughout the celebrations.
