As the Ganesh festival approaches, Ahmedabad Police have issued important guidelines for idol installations and immersion processions. The festival will take place from August 27 to September 6. Organisers must obtain permission from their local police station before installing Ganesh idols. This includes approval for the use of loudspeakers. It is essential to apply for permission for the immersion procession on the same day as the idol installation application.
If the immersion procession remains within one police zone, the local police can grant permission. If the procession crosses multiple zones, organisers must seek approval from the Commissioner of Police, Special Branch. This ensures that all activities are monitored and safe for the public.
The police have also put forward rules to maintain order during the festivities. Organisers need to manage crowd control effectively. They must ensure that the idol installations do not block public or vehicular traffic. The police have warned against illegal fundraising for these events, stating that strict legal action will be taken against those who violate this rule.
Safety is a priority during the festival. Each organising committee must have two responsible individuals present at the idol installation site at all times. This is to avoid any untoward incidents. Organisers must also install CCTV cameras and display emergency contact numbers. Fire extinguishers should be available on-site, and the use of cooking fuel like wood or kerosene is strictly prohibited.
In addition, organisers must seek approvals from relevant authorities for electrical work related to the idol installations. Adequate lighting must be provided to ensure safety. The police have emphasised the importance of managing the arrival and departure of devotees. Building barricades for crowd control is necessary, and no criminal activities should occur during the festival.
Regarding loudspeakers, the police have set limits on their use. They can only operate between 6 am and 10 pm. This is in consideration of senior citizens and schoolchildren living nearby. The use of DJs and high-volume sound systems is strictly prohibited. During immersion, organisers should provide identification badges for volunteers to help manage the process smoothly.
It is also important that procession routes remain unchanged unless prior approval is obtained. Processions must conclude by 10 pm to prevent disturbances in the local area. The use of explosives, firecrackers, and camphor near sensitive sites is banned. Organisers are urged to take precautions with overhead electrical wires and tree branches.
As part of the guidelines, all Ganesh idols made from Plaster of Paris (POP) must have a visible circular red mark painted with oil paint on their back. This is to help identify them easily. The directive follows a recent decision by the Bombay High Court, which lifted the ban on POP idols but called for strict regulations to reduce pollution.
Local self-governing bodies are responsible for ensuring that these guidelines are followed. They are to set up dedicated cells to register Utsav Samitis and Sarvajanik Mandals. Detailed information about each installed idol must be collected to plan for appropriate immersion arrangements.
The guidelines encourage organisers to use smaller idols where possible. For household idols or those under six feet tall, immersion will only be allowed in artificial ponds. Larger idols may be immersed in natural water bodies only if no artificial pond is available. Civic bodies must ensure that the material from the idols is collected the following day after immersion.
The police and local authorities are working together to promote eco-friendly celebrations. Awareness campaigns will help educate the public about the importance of following these new rules. The aim is to ensure that the Ganesh festival is celebrated joyfully and responsibly, without harming the environment or disrupting community life.