Pramesh S Jain
To facilitate the public during the upcoming Gauri-Ganesha festival,a single-window clearance system will be implemented at all 75 zonal offices of the BBMP announced BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao.
Addressing the”Peace and Harmony”meeting held today at the Puttanna Chetty Town Hall,jointly organized by BBMP and the Bengaluru City Police Department to maintain law and order during the Ganesha festivities, the Chief Commissioner shared details of the streamlined permission process.
Committees comprising officials from BBMP,the Police Department,BESCOM,and the Fire and Emergency Services will be set up at all 75 zonal offices.
These centers will function as single-window units where all permissions related to Ganesha celebrations can be obtained under one roof.
Detailed addresses of these centers and information about the respective nodal officers will soon be made available on the BBMP website.
Devotees planning to install Ganesha idols may visit their respective single-window center to secure the necessary permissions.
As in previous years,BBMP will make appropriate arrangements at designated immersion points across major lakes within its limits for safe and systematic immersion of Ganesha idols. In areas where required, temporary mobile immersion units (mobile tanks) will be deployed ward-wise to ease the process.
The Chief Commissioner emphasized the importance of celebrating Gauri-Ganesha in an environmentally friendly manner, urging citizens to avoid installing idols that may contribute to air or water pollution.
He also stressed maintaining peace during Gauri-Ganesha and Eid Milad celebrations,assuring that any issues raised by the public will be addressed in a timely and effective manner.
He further stated that instructions have already been issued to fill potholes along Ganesha procession routes. In areas undergoing white-topping work,temporary measures will be taken to ensure smooth celebrations.
Bengaluru City Police Commissioner,Seemant Kumar Singh added that appropriate measures have been initiated based on public feedback and necessary suggestions received during the planning phase.
As in previous years,all efforts are being made to ensure peaceful and harmonious celebrations without any inconvenience to the public.
He urged the public to strictly follow the instructions issued by the BBMP and Police Department regarding processions and other festival-related activities.
Cooperation from the public is essential to avoid traffic congestion.Traffic police will take necessary steps to ensure smooth vehicular movement.
He also advised organizers to avoid installing idols in the middle of roads and instead identify suitable locations to ensure public convenience and compliance with legal guidelines.He appealed for peaceful, harmonious celebrations that do not disturb public order.
*Key Public Suggestions Received During the Meeting:
* A request to completely ban DJ systems during the festival.
* Clear communication of rules and timely repair of procession routes before idol installations.
* Coordination with BESCOM to prevent any electrical accidents during processions.
* Measures to prevent traffic congestion during immersion processions.
* Adequate police security in sensitive areas.
* Preventive measures to avoid untoward incidents during religious celebrations.
* A suggestion to limit the number of idol installations in any one locality.
* A request to ban loudspeakers and firecrackers during idol installations.
* Proper implementation of the single-window system for permissions.
* Deployment of adequate police personnel during the immersion process.
* A directive for organizers to install CCTV cameras in high-footfall areas.
* A request to strictly prohibit alcohol consumption during the immersion process.
* Concerns about idols being left unattended near immersion points and a request for rapid cleanup efforts.
* A request to increase the number of mobile immersion tanks across all city wards.
The meeting was attended by Special Commissioner, Naveen Kumar Raju,Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Karthik Reddy,officials from BBMP,BESCOM, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board,Fire Department,various community leaders, and organizers of Ganesha celebrations.
