VIJAYAWADA: All is set for the immersion of 72-foot-tall eco-friendly ‘Siddhi Buddhi Sametha Kailasa Ganapathi’ idol worshiped at Ghantasala Venkateswara Government Music College here on Thursday. Doondi Ganesha Seva Samiti (DGSS) members, who installed the clay idol, are making elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the immersion on the college premises at 6.03 pm. The organisers have already started distributing prasadam from the 31,401 kg laddu at the pandal two days ago. The remaining prasadam would be distributed before the immersion.
Meanwhile, elaborate arrangements are being made by the police, irrigation, revenue and Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) officials for the smooth conduct of the Ganesh idol immersion in the city on Thursday.
Already, close to 1,500 Ganesh idols have already been immersed in River Krishna, downstream of Prakasam Barrage at Sitamma Vari Padalu during the past nine days. Around 700 Ganesh idols will be immersed on Thursday.
This apart, immersion points have also been arranged at Pedapulipaka sand reach near Penamaluru, Tadigadapa, Mutyalampadu and Rajarajeswari Peta in the city and outskirts. Three cranes have been arranged at Sitamma Vari Padalu to speed up the immersion process. An approach road was also laid to enable devotees carry idols and place them on crane.
Police have also made unprecedented security arrangements by deploying around 500 personnel on bandobust duty. The officials would also videograph the procession on all important routes. CCTV camera monitoring woud be done to issue necessary instructions based on the situation.
“We are expecting around 700 Ganesh idols to be immersed in the city on Thursday. Barricading was done near the immersion points to prevent untoward incidents,’’ said joint commissioner of police P Hari Kumar.