Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Action missing on the city outskirts

HYDERABAD: If pomp and festive revelry of Ganesh immersion procession was evident in and around Tank Bund, similar verve was missing at various lakes in the outskirts. It presented a picture of languidness, as police and authorities at all these places lounged, watching small families immersing little Ganesh idols with a relaxed mood.

Unlike frenzied celebrations last year, the environs of Safilguda, Kapra, Uppal Cheruvu and to some extent Saroornagar lake witnessed muted celebrations. The arrangements of authorities, like water packets, cranes and podiums to welcome the revellers seemed to outnumber the visitors.

Several colonies in Uppal and Nagole, A.S. Rao Nagar and Saket had already performed the immersion ceremony of Ganesh idols in the preceding days to Sunday. The authorities, however, pointed out that the momentum would build by Sunday night. “We are expecting nearly 600 idols to be immersed at Kapra Lake alone. This is same like last year’s figure. We are expecting the revelry to pick up by evening,” said GHMC Deputy Commissioner for Kapra circle S. Ramnarayan Reddy.

At Saroornagar Lake, flow of devotees picked up by afternoon despite huge presence of security personnel. “Security cover is huge here and it impedes our freedom. But given the kind of accidents occurring at public places, we can live with it. We are regular to this lake since a decade for immersion and surely Lord Ganesh removes hurdles if we are honest in our reverence,” said G. Madhusudan Rao, a Kothapet resident.

At Safilguda Lake, the municipal staff from early morning busied themselves with the task of removing Ganesh idols, which were immersed overnight. “Nearly 400 idols are expected to come here,” informed an official.

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