Ministers hold review meeting to ensure smooth Ganesh festival

Hyderabad: Minister for Transport Ponnala Prabhakar has directed officials of all departments to work in coordination for the success of the 11-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival-2024.

Ponnam Prabhakar along with another Minister D Sridhar Babu held a preparatory meeting at MCRHRD here on Tuesday and reviewed the arrangements for the upcoming Ganesh festival and immersion procession in city.

During the meeting, the ministers inquired about the arrangements to be made by various departments as lakhs of people from not only Telangana, but also from other States are expected to participate in the Ganesh festival in the State capital.

Suggesting that strict action should be taken if any issues arise related to social media, peace, and security, Ponnam Prabhakar said that festivals like Ramzan, Moharram, and Bonalu were celebrated successfully in the past and hoped for a similar outcome for Ganesh Utsav.

He instructed officials to complete tasks related to police, electricity, transportation, RTC, metro, GHMC, and HMDA quickly.

"There is a possibility of a 10 per cent increase in idols this year and asked for special arrangements to be made. Officials should complete work at 141 logging points in the city quickly and to set up baby ponds," Ponnam said.

Minister Sridhar Babu said that in accordance with the Supreme Court's verdict, a large-scale campaign should be conducted to worship clay idols instead of pop idols.

Rajya Sabha Member Anil Kumar Yadav, Deputy Mayor Mothe Srilatha Shobhan Reddy, DGP Jithender, Revenue Principal Secretary Naveen Mittal, Collectors of Hyderabad and Medchal Districts, Commissioners of Hyderabad and Rachakonda Police, MLAs and MLCs of Hyderabad and others participated in the meeting.