Hyderabad, Sept.10 (RAHNUMA): The Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi (BGUS) on Thursday announced that preparations for the 47th Samuhik Ganesh Utsav are nearing completion, with Ganesh idol installations beginning on September 14 and the grand mass immersion scheduled for September 25, Anantha Chaturdashi.
The Samithi, at a press conference, urged devotees not to be confused about the immersion date and said preparations have been underway for the past three months in coordination with the police and various government agencies.
More than 150 designated immersion points, including Vinayak Sagar, Saroornagar and Kapra lake, are being readied, besides around 110 baby ponds. BGUS expects more than 50 lakh devotees to participate across Bhagyanagar and called for adequate police, traffic and civic arrangements to ensure safe and smooth immersion.
BGUS stressed the need for stronger field-level coordination among the GHMC, police, traffic authorities and other civic agencies. It expressed concern over the casual conduct of a GHMC coordination meeting and the absence of a Hyderabad Police Commissioner-level coordination meeting.
The Samithi urged the government to conduct an immediate high-level review, warning that any lapses in public safety, traffic management, immersion arrangements or other essential services would be the responsibility of the concerned government agencies.
BGUS also appealed for traditional devotional and cultural programmes to be facilitated within applicable rules and opposed ‘unnecessary’ restrictions on DJ bands and sound systems, citing their importance to celebrations and livelihoods.
The Samithi called upon devotees to promote Swadeshi and locally produced goods, including Khadi, and said the economic activity generated by the festival should benefit local artisans, traditional occupations and cultural talent.
BGUS confirmed that immersion at Vinayak Sagar, Saroornagar, Ameenpur and Kapra lakes would take place as usual. It also condemned the alleged physical attack and harassment of its Vice-President Govind Rathi by Bhagyanagar Police in connection with the Aagaman processions at Sultan Bazaar.
The festival will feature several devotional and cultural programmes, including observances associated with Vande Mataram, Telangana Liberation Day, Sant Ravidas and Pujya Ashok Singhal.
BGUS appealed to devotees, organisers, volunteers, public representatives, police personnel and civic officials to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, disciplined and safe celebrations.
