Over 51,000 Ganesh Idols Immersed in Hyderabad as Processions Pass Off Peacefully

Ganesh idol immersion processions across Hyderabad passed off peacefully, with more than 51,000 idols immersed since the first day of the celebrations, according to Malkajgiri Commissioner Sumathi, IPS.

Speaking about the arrangements in the Malkajgiri Police Commissionerate, Sumathi said around 3,567 idols had been immersed in lakes within the zone, and that roughly 1,000 more could be immersed by the following morning. Immersions were being carried out at several water bodies, including Saroornagar Lake, Shamirpet Lake and Safilguda Lake.

The processions moved slowly towards Hussain Sagar Lake amid heavy crowds. The Balapur procession reached the centralised immersion point at around 5:15 am, while the head of the main procession entered the Hyderabad zone at about 7 am, she said.

Sumathi said the scale of the celebrations and the traffic pressure created by the processions had not led to any untoward incident. More than 7,000 personnel, including specialised and outside forces, worked in a coordinated manner to maintain law and order and manage traffic, she added.

Authorities also appealed to citizens and organisers to avoid DJs and keep sound levels under control. Sumathi said the public had largely been persuaded to refrain from using DJ sets, helping keep the celebrations quieter than usual, barring a few incidents. She added that municipal arrangements, including lighting and facilities at various locations, were sufficient, and that traffic diversion routes had been communicated in advance so commuters could plan their movement.

Hyderabad Director General and Commissioner of Police VC Sajjanar, IPS, in a self-recorded video shared on social media, thanked citizens for ensuring the festival proceeded without untoward incidents. He said lakhs of devotees had gathered in family groups around Tank Bund, NTR Marg, Necklace Road, Liberty, Moazzam Jahi Market and surrounding areas, slowing vehicle movement and delaying the immersions. The procession was expected to continue until the afternoon.

Sajjanar said police and traffic personnel were working to complete the immersions as quickly as possible, and that restrictions on major roads would remain in place. Regular vehicles were not being permitted around Tank Bund, Necklace Road, NTR Marg, the PV Statue and the Indira Gandhi Rotary area. He urged residents to postpone travel unless absolutely necessary or to take alternative routes, warning that unnecessary trips towards the immersion zones could leave people stuck in traffic.

Ganpati Visarjan is being observed across India from Friday, September 25, marking Anant Chaturdashi and the conclusion of the 10-day Ganeshotsav. Ganesh Chaturthi began on September 14, with devotees installing idols at homes and public venues and observing days of prayers, gatherings and festivities. The concluding rituals see large numbers of people gather at immersion points to offer prayers and watch the processions.