Ganesh pandals in Vizag to need police nod
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in the city will require prior police permission, with organisers mandated to obtain clearance through a single-window online system this year.
Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Shankabratha Bagchi, addressing a press conference at the police conference hall on Saturday, said organisers must apply through ganeshutsav.net and furnish complete details of the proposed celebrations.
The application should include the name and contact details of the organising committee, the exact location of the pandal, duration of its installation, programmes planned, expected footfall, electrical and fire-safety arrangements, CCTV facilities, sound systems and immersion plans.
Various departments will examine the applications before granting clearance, Mr Bagchi said.
Organisers have been asked to clearly specify the date of installation of the idol, the number of days the pandal will remain, the date and time of immersion, the proposed procession route and the immersion point. They must also inform the jurisdictional police station about the exact location before installing the idol.
QR code for every pandal
Every permitted pandal will be issued a QR code, which will enable police beat and night-patrolling teams to access details of the installation during inspections.
Mr Bagchi warned that pandals would not be allowed at unauthorised locations or in places where they obstruct vehicular or pedestrian movement. Any violations will be brought to the notice of the concerned Station House Officer or supervisory officer.
Pandal committees expecting large crowds have been directed to make separate arrangements for entry and exit and provide parking facilities wherever required. They will also have to cooperate with the police in traffic regulation, barricading, crowd management and diversions.
Adequate lighting must be provided inside and around the pandal, particularly at entry and exit points and during night hours, the Commissioner said.
He also directed organisers to keep functional fire extinguishers, adequate water and sand readily available to deal with emergencies. Emergency entry and exit routes must remain unobstructed at all times.
Immersion plans to be submitted in advance
Organisers must submit details of the immersion date and time, the procession route, the immersion point, the expected number of devotees and vehicles to the jurisdictional police station or concerned subdivision well in advance.
Based on these details, the police will work out security arrangements, traffic regulation, route management and crowd-control measures, Mr Bagchi said.