Hyderabad Police caps Ganesh idols at 16 feet, issues safety guidelines

Hyderabad Police has restricted Ganesh idols to a maximum height of 16 feet during this year's festivities. The decision aims to improve public safety during transportation and immersion, with authorities also promoting eco-friendly clay idols and stricter compliance with safety norms.

Hyderabad: Ganesh idols installed during this year’s festivities in the city should not exceed 16 feet in height, City Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said on Thursday.

The Commissioner, at a coordination meeting, said the height restriction was decided following discussions with the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi to improve public safety during the transportation, installation and immersion of idols. He said nearly 23,000 Ganesh idols were installed within the city police limits last year, during which four transportation-related accidents were reported.

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Sajjanar urged manufacturers to strictly follow safety norms from the idol-making stage itself to prevent similar incidents. He also appealed to artisans to promote eco-friendly clay idols and encourage devotees to opt for smaller idols that can be immersed easily.

Meanwhile, special entry and exit routes are being planned for transporting idols from major manufacturing hubs such as Dhoolpet, Jalpally and Mailardevpally. Manufacturers were asked to avoid transporting large idols during peak traffic hours, obtain prior clearance from the traffic police and share booking details and transportation schedules with the local police in advance.

The Commissioner further said cranes and vehicles used for loading and transporting idols must be certified and operated only by trained personnel, warning that violations of safety norms would invite legal action.