Hyderabad police chief meets Ganesh Utsav organisers, stresses idol transport safety

Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar has directed Ganesh Utsav organisers to restrict idol heights to 15 feet to avoid accidents during transportation and immersion. He urged early coordination with idol makers and warned against unsafe practices such as lifting overhead power lines during processions.

Hyderabad: City Police Commissioner, VC Sajjanar on Wednesday held a meeting with the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Committee organisers and urged them to ensure that idols are kept within safe height limits to prevent electrocution and other accidents during transportation and immersion processions.

Addressing a meeting with representatives of the Samithi members, the Commissioner stressed that safety measures should begin at the idol manufacturing stage rather than after the idols are completed.

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Recalling previous incidents,  Sajjanar said two persons had lost their lives due to electrocution in the Bandlaguda police station limits when an oversized Ganesh idol came into contact with overhead power lines. He also cited another incident in which a Ganesh idol got stuck beneath the Panjagutta flyover because of its excessive height.

Explaining the rationale behind the height restriction, the Commissioner said overhead power lines in most city roads are generally around 22 feet above the ground, while the trolleys used for transporting idols are about four feet high. To maintain a safe clearance, he advised organisers to limit the height of Ganesh idols to 15 feet.

He urged the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi to create awareness among pandal committees and coordinate with idol makers well in advance. Organisers were also cautioned against attempting to lift overhead power lines with sticks or plastic pipes during processions, as such practices had resulted in fatal accidents in the past.

Additional Commissioner of Police (South ) Tafseer Iqbal, Additional DCP (Special Branch) Narsimha Rao and members of the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi attended the meeting.