The city police till Thursday evening received about 1,100 applications from organisers of Ganesh festivities in the city.
For the first time the city police have initiated a website www.ganesh.vizag.co to enable the organisers to upload the application online. While 1,062 applications have been received offline, 47 are uploaded in the website, according to K. Fakeerappa, DCP (Law and Order- zone-I).
Going the tech way, the city police have also for the first time started the QR code system. “Each idol in the pandals that are erected by organisers and associations will be given a QR code. The code will be scanned by our men and the idea is to see that the organisers follow the checklist that has been given to them,” said Mr. Fakeerappa.
The police have set up an 80-member team and each member is given a tab. The team members will visit each pandal on a daily basis and scan the QR code.
“Once the QR code is scanned the police get all the details of the pandal. And this will make our man accountable as he has to check the safety aspects such as fire safety norms, power connection norms and arrangements made by the organisers to handle the rush,” said the DCP. This apart, the QR code will give a geo-mapping position of the pandal and the pandal design and the picture of the idol will be uploaded on the Google Map.
“If someone from the same colony in the USA intends to see the picture of the pandal and idol, he or she can see them,” said Mr. Fakeerappa.
Security
Apart from visible policing around the major pandals, the police have insisted the organisers to install CCTV cameras with monitors and recording facility.
As per the Supreme Court guidelines, the height of the idols have been restricted to eight feet. if the height is more, the organisers have to arrange the immersion at the pandal itself.
The use of sound system is restricted from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the organisers have been told not use PA system during immersion or organise cultural shows and obscene dances.
The immersion of idols has been restricted to Lawson’s Bay beach, Peda Jalaripeta, Jodugullapalem, Sagar Nagar, Rushikonda and Appikonda Beach.
“About 200 trained swimmers will manning the beaches during the immersion days and GVMC will be providing cranes to handle the big idols,” said the DCP.
