BBMP hires swimmers to help in Ganesh immersion

ganesh

BANGALORE: At Ganesh Chaturthi, play and make good cheer, for the habba comes once a year. While the idol immersion process is colourful to watch, unprecedented accidents can mire the picture. For safety, BBMP has hired 25 professional swimmers for each lake that got the green signal for the idol immersion ceremony.

BBMP has also recognized 60 mobile tanks across Bangalore, apart from the two lakes. The mobile tanks are containers placed on a truck. Idols shorter than two and half feet can be immersed in such tanks.

The two lakes chosen for immersion are Yediyur Lake and Sankey Tank.

With the presence of expert swimmers, people need not enter the water themselves to immerse idols. "These swimmers will wear fluorescent jackets so that people can spot them easily. We have public assistance booths too this year," said S S Khandera, public relations officer, BBMP.

Bamboo barricades, about six-and-half-feet high, will be built around the lakes. Separate containers to dispose flowers will be provided. BBMP has cleaned the lakes too. Transport minister R Ashok supervised the arrangements in Yediyur Lake and Sankey Tank.

Traffic police in these areas have been told to maintain order on the roads. "The idol immersion event starts at 6 pm. The force will be ready to handle traffic from 4 pm," said N Ramesh Chandra, ACP, south zone.

BBMP has listed rules and regulations to be followed by those organizing Ganesh Chaturthi. Associations arranging Ganesh pooja need a permit from BBMP.

Apart from mentioning the area that will be covered for the event, they require separate permission to use mikes and loudspeakers, which are are prohibited from 10 pm to 6 am. Associations also need a permit from the Karnataka Electricity Board to use halogen and decorative lights.

Depending on the number of associations registered, two officers have been deployed at each pandal. Violations will be booked.

Police said if any association is found violating the rules, the pandal will be sealed and mikes and loudspeakers confiscated.