With more than 15 lakh people expected to participate in the last day of Ganesha immersion on Sunday, the city police have made elaborate security arrangements for its smooth conduct.
Over 2.5 lakh surveillance cameras would monitor the procession and the immersion process, and nearly 450 CCTV cameras have been installed on Balapur-Hussainsagar route.
There are over 14,000 registered Ganesha idols in the city and the same number of unregistered ones.
A total of 17,174 police personnel have been deployed in the city as part of the security arrangements and the cops are also taking steps to ensure that rumours of any kind do not spread. This year too, the police would not allow DJs and using of drones for the procession.
Hyderabad Commissioner of Police Anjani Kumar said 51 static cranes have been deployed at NTR Marg, Tank Bund, Ministers’ Road, Rajanna Bowli, Miralam Tank and Errakunta Tank, apart from 63 static and 56 mobile generators. Eight-one watch towers, 82 mobile toilets and public address systems have been stationed at all the important and strategic junctions.
Mr. Kumar said 500 additional wireless sets have been given to the force in addition to the existing 2,900 sets for better communication. He said strict action would be taken against those who make provocative speeches and try to circulate pamphlets and other materials.
Telangana Director General of Police M. Mahender Reddy said the State command control was connected with CCTV cameras of major towns for the Ganesha procession route. He said ensuring incident-free festivities was a challenge and technology plays a key role in prevention of crime during such occasions. “Community policing helps in better planning and coordination between public and police. And several SHE Teams will be pressed into service for the safety and protection of women,” he said.
Further, Mr. Reddy asked citizens not to believe in social media rumours.
