Ganesh Immersion Hyderabad: Hyderabad Extends Metro Services, Restricts Liquor Sales for Ganesh Immersion

Ganesh Immersion Hyderabad: Hyderabad is gearing up for the annual Ganesh immersion on September 25, with authorities putting several arrangements in place across the city. Public transport, traffic movement, liquor sales and government offices will all see changes on the day.

The Hyderabad Metro Rail has extended its services to help people travelling to and from the immersion areas. On Friday, the last Metro trains from all terminal stations will leave at 1am instead of the usual 11pm.

The extended service is expected to be useful for devotees who plan to watch the processions and later return home. With several major roads likely to face diversions and heavy traffic, officials have also advised people to consider Metro services instead of using private vehicles.

Security arrangements have been stepped up across the city as thousands of Ganesh idols are expected to be brought for immersion. The Khairatabad Ganesh idol will be among the major attractions, with its procession scheduled to move towards Hussain Sagar after the morning rituals.

The idol will be taken from Khairatabad towards the NTR Marg area, where the immersion arrangements have been made. Large crowds are expected along the route, prompting police to make special arrangements for crowd control and traffic management.

Liquor sales will also be restricted during the immersion. Wine shops, toddy shops and bars attached to restaurants in several police commissionerate areas have been ordered to remain closed from 6am on September 25 until 6am on September 26.

Bars located inside star hotels and registered clubs have been exempted from the restriction. Police officials said the measure has been taken as part of the security arrangements for the immersion and processions.

The Telangana government has also declared September 25 a holiday in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, along with Rangareddy and Medchal Malkajgiri districts. Government offices, schools and colleges in the specified areas will remain closed.

The holiday will be adjusted against November 14, which is the second Saturday. The government has directed that November 14 be treated as a working day in place of the September 25 holiday.

Subordinate courts in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Rangareddy and Medchal Malkajgiri will also remain closed on September 25. The High Court Registrar General issued orders regarding the holiday for the courts.

Traffic restrictions will be introduced on several important roads as the idol processions move through the city. Vehicles may be diverted to alternate routes depending on the movement of the processions and crowd levels.

Police have deployed a large force for the event. Around 20,000 personnel, nearly 10,000 CCTV cameras and drones are being used as part of the security and surveillance arrangements, according to officials.

Authorities have asked people to follow traffic diversions and police instructions during the celebrations. Devotees visiting crowded areas have also been advised to avoid unnecessary travel by private vehicles and use public transport wherever possible.

The extended Metro timings are expected to give people another option after the processions, while the holiday and liquor restrictions are part of the wider arrangements being made for a smooth immersion day.

With thousands of idols and large crowds expected across Hyderabad, police and civic authorities are keeping a close watch on the major procession routes. The focus remains on managing traffic, maintaining public safety and ensuring that the immersion programme proceeds without major disruption.