Hyderabad Traffic Police will impose road restrictions for at least 23 hours for the Ganesh idol immersion processions on September 12. If the situation demands, the duration of restrictions — now set from 9 a.m. on Thursday to 8 a.m. on Friday — might be extended. Directions have been issued to lift barricades for emergency services vehicles.
“Though we have imposed restrictions starting from 9 a.m., motorists will be allowed to drive smoothly when movement of idols is slow. The procession is expected to start from Thursday afternoon. The main procession route, spanning 18 km, is from Balapur to Tank Bund,” said Anil Kumar, Hyderabad Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), addressing a press conference here on Tuesday.
Apart from the main procession route, vehicle movement will be regulated on 17 tributary procession routes in east, west and north zones of the city.
The routes where the restrictions are imposed will be displayed real time on Google Maps. Mr Kumar said that the details would be passed on to web mapping service management and their officers are coordinating it. When the restrictions are lifted, the information will be displayed on Maps.
Though 10 parking spots within 1 km radius of the Hussainsagar will be allotted to those wishing to witness the immersion, officials have urged citizens to opt for public transport, including metro rail.
Helpline numbers
To seek help in case of being stuck on any road, or for information regarding the restrictions and alternative routes, people can dial control room numbers at 040-27852482, 94905-98985 and 90102-03626.
Those who have to travel to or from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad have been asked to avoid Tank Bund Road, MG Road, RP Road, NTR Marg, Basheerbagh and Abids. Mr Kumar has suggested other routes such as Sardar Patel Road. “Roads in Banjara Hills and Masab Tank will be open. Whenever possible, one must use Outer Ring Road,” he said.
Since repairs are being taken up at the flyover in Lalapet, those coming from Tarnaka and Malkajgiri are advised to opt other routes.
Private buses and lorries will not be allowed into Hyderabad from 6 a.m. of September 12 to 10 a.m. the next day. Regulations will be imposed on RTC buses too.
Cyberabad gears up
Of the total 10,188 Ganesh idols in Cyberabad Police Commissionerate limits, 2,369 idols will be immersed on Thursday in 27 lakes. A large number of the idols will be immersed in IDL Tank. Around 36 static and 54 mobile cranes have been sanctioned for the immersion while anti-sabotage checks would be organised to sterilise the route of idol procession and side lanes leading to the route. Drones will not be permitted.
SHE teams will be on ground and complaints on eve-teasing or harassment can be reported on calling 94936-22395.
One can report suspicious object or behaviour by dialling 100 or communicating through WhatsApp number 94906-17444.
