Ganesh procession passes off peacefully

Amidst unprecedented security and presence of over a million devotees the final Ganesh Immersion procession passed off peacefully in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad on Saturday.

Thousands of big and small idols were taken into a 15-kilometre long main procession from Balapur in the Old City to Hussain Sagar Lake for immersion in large trucks. The main procession started at around 11.15 am after the completion of auction of Balaplur Ganesh laddu. People in large numbers lined up along the procession route and also gathered at Tank Bunk and Necklace Road to witness the immersion of over 40,000 big and small Ganesh idols.

The city's tallest Ganesh idol at Khairatabad too has started its journey for immersion into the Hussain Sagar on Saturday afternoon itself. The State Government has deployed over 50 heavy duty cranes to facilitate the immersion of idols.

More than 15,000 security personnel including Special Forces were deployed to ensure peaceful culmination of the mammoth procession. Police pickets were deployed at all sensitive places and heavy contingent was posted at all places of religious importance on the procession route. Closed circuits cameras were also installed at important places to monitor the situation remotely.

Home Minister P Sabitha Indira Reddy and Director General of Police V Dinesh Reddy conducted an aerial survey to review the security arrangements. The helicopter took off from Begumpet Airport at around 1 pm and the DGP reviewed the arrangements on the entire route.

During the procession, people have set good examples of communal harmony and brotherhood. At several places, Muslims have distributed water sachets and food packets for the devotees.