Administration urges orderly, safe celebrations in Belagavi
The Deputy Commissioner of Belagavi, Mohammad Roshan, has called on citizens and Ganesh festival committees to conduct this year’s Ganeshotsav in an organised, peaceful and harmonious manner, saying the district should set an example for other parts of the country. The directives were issued at a preparatory meeting of festival committee representatives and idol makers held at the Kumar Gandharva Kalamandir on Thursday, a release reported.
Officials from the Belagavi district administration and the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) jointly organised the meeting to finalise coordination between departments and ensure that preparations are completed well before Ganesh Chaturthi. The meeting covered civic repairs, traffic management, public safety and compliance with festival regulations.
- Road and civic works: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been directed to fill potholes and expedite ongoing roadworks. The Deputy Commissioner said progress will be personally monitored in coordination with the municipal commissioner and the police commissioner.
- Financial support: The administration has assured assistance to festival committees towards electricity charges for pandals and related requirements.
- Law-and-order and surveillance: Police commissioner Bhushan Borase outlined the policing plan and emphasised the need for CCTV at pandals and round-the-clock surveillance at sensitive locations.
- Event regulations: Committees must comply with rules on idol heights, pandal structures and electrical decorations. The use of DJs has been banned and obscene songs will not be permitted. Loudspeakers must be switched off after 10 pm.
"Celebrate Belagavi’s unique Ganeshotsav in an organised, peaceful and harmonious manner," the Deputy Commissioner said.
Officials highlighted the scale of policing resources available and the need for cooperation from organisers to ensure public safety. According to the meeting briefing, Belagavi has a population of about 14 lakh, supported by approximately 1,400 police personnel and 140 traffic police on routine duty. The police noted that festival-time responsibilities will add to these duties, necessitating support from committee volunteers and the public.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| City population (approx.) | 14 lakh |
| Police personnel | 1,400 |
| Traffic police | 140 |
Belagavi’s civic leadership also flagged immersion arrangements and city cleanliness as priorities. Deputy Mayor Hanumant Kongali said the corporation will prioritise filling potholes, repairing roads and cleaning the city, including immersion ponds. He said the BCC would assist festival committees with electricity charges and extend other necessary support.
Police commissioner Borase emphasised that sensitive locations will be placed under continuous surveillance and reiterated that organisers must install CCTV cameras at pandals. Committees were reminded to ensure structural safety of pandals, adhere to limits on idol heights and conform to electrical safety norms to prevent accidents during processions and immersion.
The ban on DJs and the restriction on loudspeakers after 10 pm aim to prevent disorder and reduce the risk of altercations triggered by loud or offensive music, officials said. The administration appealed to residents and festival committees to cooperate with authorities and follow guidelines so that celebrations remain grand yet peaceful.
With multiple departments coordinating work, the administration said it expects preparations to be completed well ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi to allow smooth conduct of festivities and processions. Festival committees and idol makers attending the meeting were urged to take note of the compliance requirements and liaise with municipal and police authorities in advance.
Further operational details, including designated immersion points and traffic diversion plans, were expected to be released by the city corporation and police in the days leading up to the festival, according to the meeting report.
