Hyderabad: The 61-feet tall Khairatabad Ganesh idol, arguably the biggest in the country, left its pandal at 7-30am on Thursday, completed its journey to Hussain Sagar in record time and was immersed in by 1:30 pm.
The whole process which in the past had taken more 30 hours to complete its journey was completed within a record seven hours. The procession which included men, women and children covered 2.5 km. The length of the journey from the Ganesh pandal to the point where it was immersed in Hussain Sagar was 5.2 km. It was immersed by cranes that used the latest computerized ARD (Automatic Release Device) technology.
The crane was positioned in front of the Integrated Control Room at NTR Gardens. It is owned by Modern Crane Service.
Speaking to siasat.com crane operator Debingder Singh said, “The machine has been brought from Gujarat. The same machine had been used for the Khairtabad Ganesh last year too. This crane has the special ARD technology which automatically lifts about 400-ton weight. The machine is named Tadano.”
Tens of thousands devotees gathered in front of the idol dancing, singing and chanting ‘Ganapati Bappa Morya.’ Oggu artists who come from different parts of Telangana danced and sang in front of the idol along the route.
The procession moved from Sensation theatre and BSNL towers and reached the Secretariat.
Policemen facilitated the smooth mobility of the procession till Secretariat. The speed of the procession slowed down later as it headed towards Crane number 6 where the immersion took place.
Over 600 police and GHMC personnel were deployed for the peaceful immersion of the idol within the prescribed time.