Ganesh procession: granite pavement may be damaged

BACK TO SQUARE ONE: Bollards that were placed at Charkaman near Charminar as part of Charminar Pedestrianisation Project were removed by the residents in old city. Photo: G. Ramakrishna

GHMC is worried about the possible damage of the granite pavement laid by it from Gulzar Houz to Charminar when the Ganesh immersion procession passes through this route.

As part of the Charminar Pedestrianisation Project, the corporation laid granite pavement at a cost of Rs. 55 lakh on the left portion of the road.

The work had to be stopped as some shopkeepers under the aegis of Jewellers and Sharaff Association of Charkman went to the court.

GHMC caught unawares

The removal of bollards erected on the Gulzar Houz - Charminar stretch the other day has caught the GHMC by surprise. Initially, the civic body was under the impression that the traffic police removed the bollards to pave way for the Ganesh procession. But now it turns out that residents of Gulzar Houz have done it to install the Ganesh idol.

“But no one informed or sought our permission”, said K. Srinivas Rao, Additional Chief City Planner, GHMC.

Rethinking officials

GHMC officials are now concerned about the likely damage to the granite pavement on the immersion day. The granite stone is laid out for pedestrians and it is not strong enough to take the load of the long line of heavy trucks that pass through this route, it is said. Officials are thinking of requesting the police to consider diverting the heavy trucks at least through other routes.