Hyderabad’s Ganesh immersion procession continued peacefully on Saturday, but the movement of lakhs of devotees and idols has slowed traffic and prompted major restrictions on key roads, police said. The restrictions are expected to remain in place until the procession and immersion activity conclude in the afternoon.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said devotees had gathered in large numbers at Tank Bund, NTR Marg, Necklace Road, Liberty, Mozamjahi Market and other parts of the city. Many were accompanied by their families, adding to the volume of pedestrian and vehicle movement around the immersion routes.
Sajjanar said the procession had continued without any untoward incidents and thanked residents for cooperating with the police. Traffic and police personnel are working continuously to complete the immersion of idols at the earliest, he said.
General vehicles will not be allowed on Tank Bund, Necklace Road, NTR Marg, PV Statue and areas around Indira Gandhi Rotary because of the heavy movement of idols. Traffic restrictions on the major procession routes will continue while the immersion operations are under way.
The police commissioner appealed to motorists to avoid the affected roads unless travel is necessary because of an emergency. Residents have been advised to postpone journeys or use alternative routes, while people have also been asked not to enter the procession areas unnecessarily and risk being caught in congestion.
Police asked citizens to follow official advisories and traffic updates issued by the Traffic police. The department also urged residents to cooperate with personnel managing the routes as the procession continues through the city.
