The Hyderabad Ganesh immersion procession was continuing peacefully on Saturday as lakhs of devotees gathered across key routes, while police maintained traffic restrictions and urged motorists to avoid affected roads unless travel was necessary.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said the procession had been proceeding on a grand scale since Saturday and thanked residents for cooperating with the authorities. He said the event had so far continued without any untoward incidents.
Large crowds, many accompanied by their families, gathered at Tank Bund, NTR Marg, Necklace Road, Liberty, Mozamjahi Market and other parts of the city. The movement of devotees and vehicles carrying idols slowed traffic and caused slight delays to the immersion process, according to the Commissioner.
Police and traffic personnel were working continuously to complete the immersion of idols at the earliest, Sajjanar said. The procession was expected to continue until the afternoon, and restrictions on major routes were to remain in force during the operation.
General vehicles were not being allowed on Tank Bund, Necklace Road, NTR Marg, PV Statue and areas around Indira Gandhi Rotary because of the heavy movement of idols. The restrictions are intended to keep the procession routes clear while enabling police personnel to manage the large crowds and traffic movement.
The Commissioner appealed to motorists to completely avoid the affected routes unless there was an emergency. He asked commuters to postpone their journeys or use alternative routes, and advised residents not to venture onto the roads unnecessarily and risk getting caught in congestion.
The disruption illustrates the immediate transport demands created by large public processions in a dense city environment. Routes around Tank Bund, NTR Marg and Necklace Road serve as important connections in central Hyderabad, but were being prioritised for the movement of idols and devotees during the immersion period.
Citizens were asked to follow official advisories and traffic updates issued by the Traffic police. The police also sought continued cooperation from residents as personnel worked to complete the immersion process and restore normal movement on the affected roads.
Traffic restrictions will continue on the specified routes until the procession and immersion activity are completed, according to the Commissioner’s statement.
