Nearly 2,000 police personnel would be deployed for the Ganesh immersion ceremony to be held at Vinayak Ghat in Kurnool, Handri-Neeva canal at Nannur toll plaza and in Ulindakonda on September 22 (Tuesday), said Superintendent of Police (SP) Vikrant Patil.

The SP, in a press release, said that nearly 1,500 Ganesh idols were likely to be immersed and that traffic restrictions have been imposed in Kurnool city on Tuesday. The entire immersion process will be recorded using drones, CCTV cameras, and video cameras, the SP said, emphasising that security measures were being implemented to ensure the immersion proceeds peacefully.

Mr. Vikrant Patil said that the district police have undertaken massive, stringent security measures for the immersion of Ganesh idols, deploying a total of 2,000 police personnel, including two Additional SPs, 16 DSPs, 85 CIs and RIs, and 150 SIs.

The SP urged the organisers of Ganesh idol festivities to ensure that the immersion process was conducted peacefully, without causing any public inconvenience or traffic disruptions. He also asked them to adhere to schedules and to keep necessary vehicles and cranes ready for the idol processions.

He cautioned the organisers to ensure that small children do not ride on the procession vehicles and added that during immersion, individuals who cannot swim, as well as children and women, should be kept away from the immersion ghats. The SP urged the organisers to take necessary precautions to ensure that the Ganesh idols do not come into contact with electric wires while being transported during the procession.

“Strict surveillance has been arranged to monitor unruly elements. Action will be taken against youths who display excessive energy under the influence of alcohol while loud DJ music is being played,” he said.

Stating that extensive checks will be conducted by bomb disposal and dog squads, he added that if any suspicious objects or individuals are spotted, the public should inform the local police or call 112 or 100.

The SP also announced that traffic diversion would be imposed in Kurnool city on Tuesday, starting from 10 a.m. till the conclusion of the immersion proceedings. Vehicles authorised by the police for emergency services, such as 108, fire services, ambulances, and police vehicles will be permitted on the immersion route.

Vehicles would not be allowed to enter the stretch from Kurnool RTC bus stand to Raj Vihar Centre, Government Hospital, Vinayak Ghat, and Gayatri Estate. RTC buses and other vehicles traveling from Kurnool RTC bus stand will be routed via Bellary Chowrasta, Kallur Chennamma circle, Gooty petrol station, Birla junction, Maddur Nagar Circle, and C-Camp towards Nandyal check post.

Vehicles entering the city from Atmakur, Nandyal, Nandikotkur, and Nandyal check post will reach Kurnool RTC bus stand via C-Camp, Birla Gate, Gooty petrol bunk, Kallur Chennamma Circle, and Bellary Chowrasta. Vehicles arriving from Hyderabad, Gadwal, and Alampur will reach the Kurnool RTC bus stand via the Tungabhadra bridge, Santosh Nagar, and Bellary crossroads, while those from Anantapur and Dhone will reach the Kurnool RTC stand via Gooty petrol bunk and Bellary crossroads.

Following the completion of the immersion ceremony, the immersion vehicles will exit via Devanagar, Krishna Nagar, and the Kallur bridge.