Khairatabad: This time Kala Sarpa Vinayakudu

Hyderabad: On the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi Festival, The festivities are grandly celebrating across the state.

The Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee, which oversees the Ganesh festivities at Khairatabad, in association with the Hyderabad police has made tight security arrangements for the 11-day festivities that are set to begin from today(Thursday).

According to Committee members, the idol this time is 57-feet high and 24-feet wide weighing more than 45 tonnes and named as 'Kala Sarpa Vinayakudu. More than 150 artists from Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata worked for more than 14 hours a day since May 25 and prepared the giant Ganesh idol.

With the Khairatabad Ganesh being the tallest idols in the State inviting a huge influx of devotees, the police and the committee have made all necessary security arrangements for darshan of the lord.

Speaking to media, Central Zone DCP P Viswa Prasad said a thorough CCTV surveillance and monitoring would be carried out on all 11 days round-the-clock.

One DSP, two Inspectors and eight sub-inspectors with four platoons of the armed reserve force, two women platoons would be deployed on the premises. While one control room was established for the police, VHF communication was provided for police coordination. Mufti police, special branch and intelligence sleuths would also monitor.

He further added that the security would be doubled during weekends and holidays when the number of devotees increases. Police is expecting around 5 to 7 lakh devotees on weekends.

Separate barricades were installed to maintain the crowd. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Water Board and Health Department has made all necessary arrangements for the festivities.