Hyderabad Police warn against PoP Ganesh idol immersion in Hussain Sagar

Hyderabad Police have put up awareness banners warning devotees and organisers against immersing PoP Ganesh idols in Hussain Sagar. Citing High Court directions, authorities are making enhanced immersion arrangements along Necklace Road and monitoring immersion points to prevent violations

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Police have put up flex banners and awareness boards at Hussain Sagar and across the city, warning devotees and organisers against immersing Ganesh idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP).

The police, in association with the GHMC, have also put up banners and flexes citing High Court orders and stating that idol immersion should not be carried out on Tank Bund.

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The move comes in view of the Telangana High Court’s 2023 directions, which made it clear that PoP Ganesh idols should not be immersed in Hussain Sagar or other water bodies within Hyderabad limits.

The court also directed that idol immersion and the setting up of heavy cranes should be avoided on the Upper Tank Bund side. The directions were aimed at preventing pollution and protecting water bodies.

Meanwhile, the civic administration, in association with line departments, is making enhanced arrangements for idol immersion along the Necklace Road shoreline to prevent idols from being taken to the Upper Tank Bund. More platforms and cranes are being set up on this side of Hussain Sagar to streamline the centralised idol immersion procession towards Necklace Road.

The police urged Ganesh festival organisers to use eco-friendly idols and comply with the court orders and immersion guidelines.

Civic authorities and police personnel are expected to closely monitor immersion points during the festival and prevent violations.

The issue has been under legal scrutiny for several years. In 2021, the Supreme Court permitted PoP idol immersion in Hussain Sagar as a one-time exception, while subsequent Telangana High Court directions in 2023 reiterated restrictions on PoP immersion.