Permission Needed For Ganesh Pandals

The city police on Saturday made it clear that Ganesh idols can be installed in public places only after the organizers obtain prior written permission from the Divisional Assistant Commissioner of Police concerned.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner A K Khan said that the Ganesh festival, set to commence on 1 September this year, will conclude 10 days later on 11 September, with the final immersion procession.

The police department will take several regulatory measures to maintain peace, tranquility and public order, Khan said.

The city police chief ordered that Ganesh idols can be installed in public places in various localities of the city, only after permission is obtained in writing from the Divisional Assistant Commissioners of Police concerned. Separate permission will have to be sought for each Ganesh idol to be installed, the top cop said.

Khan added that application forms for idol installation and processions will be available at all police stations of the city from 10 August to 14 August.

These application forms will have to be submitted at the police stations concerned on or before 18 August.

The forms must clearly indicate the place and the date of the proposed installation, and the date, time, route and the destination of the proposed immersion procession.

Besides, organizers seeking permission for installation should furnish a 'No Objection Certificate' from the owner of the premises or land, irrespective of whether it is private or government land.

Installation will be permitted only at places where it will not cause obstruction to free flow of traffic and where there is no threat to public peace and order.

No unauthorised electricity connection at the Ganesh pandals will be allowed, and it shall be incumbent on the part of the organizers to apply for supply of electricity to the APCPDCL, and obtain permission in this regard.

A certificates must be obtained from the APCPDCL that the electricity connection is authorized; and it should be enclosed with the application form.

Use of loudspeakers will be restricted to box type only, and permission will have to be taken both by the organizers who hire the equipment and the dealers/company supplying the equipment. The noise levels should be kept within permissible limits. A loudspeaker or a public address system shall not be used during the nights between 10pm and 6am, as per the directions of the Supreme Court.

Organizers must provide volunteers with suitable identity cards / badges, and use them for maintaining queues and order at the time of worship in various Ganesh mandaps and to guard the idols and pandal. The guarding of idols and precautionary measures with reference to lighting of lamps and aarthi will be the sole responsibility of the organizers.

Organisers who want to take out procession for the immersion of the idols will have to apply individually to the Assistant Commissioners of Police through the Station House Officers concerned, mentioning the date, time and route for the said procession and obtain permission.

The police chief forewarned that applications received later are liable to be rejected.

Station House Officers and Divisional Assistant Commissioners of Police will hold meetings with the organizers in each PS area and finalise the arrangements for issue of permission, before the commencement of the festival.

The instructions do not apply to Ganesh Idols installed in private residences, which are not made accessible to the public and are not in public view. However, permission is required for idols installed in cellars of complexes and those taking out public procession. (INN)