Tall Ganapati idols to move via Old Court Circle, Deshpande Nagar

Hubballi: Finalising an alternative route for immersion procession of tall Ganapati idols (18 feet and above) on the 12th day of Ganesha Chaturthi festival this time, authorities have zeroed in on the way from Sangolli Rayanna Circle to Hosur pond via Old Court Circle, Deshpande Nagar and New Cotton Market, skipping Channamma Circle where flyover arms would be a hindrance for tall idols.As the minimum height of flyover structure from the ground is 5.5 metre at Channamma Circle area, finding an alternative route for idols with 18 feet and above height has been inevitable this time. As the height of the flyover arm is more at Old Court Circle, it has now been decided to move tall idols on this alternative route, while the procession of smaller idols will move on the usual route via Channamma Circle.MLA Mahesh Tenginakai, accompanied by the officials of Police Department, Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, Forest Department, and representatives of Ganeshotsav Samitis, inspected the immersion procession route on Saturday. After measuring the height of the flyover at a couple of places and holding discussions with the officials, the alternative route was finalised.After Ganapati idol installation on Ganesha Chaturthi (September 14), immersion of several idols takes place on the fifth, seventh and ninth day of the festival. On the 12th day (September 25), idols installed in the market area (New Hubballi), which attracts thousands of devotees due to the grandeur of idols and pandals, will be immersed. Their immersion procession also pulls a huge crowd. Though these idols come in the same route till Sangolli Rayanna Circle, this time, tall idols will move from there on an alternative route via Old Court Circle."At least three tall idols (Marathagalli, Dajibanpet, New Myadar Oni) have to move on the alternative route via Old Court Circle, where the flyover height is 27 feet. Samitis concerned are asked to bring them after other idols pass through Sangolli Rayanna Circle and Channnamma Circle on the 12th day of the Ganesha Chaturthi festival," Tenginakai said.Run-up for Ganesh Chaturthi: Flyover poses challenge for tall idols in HubballiForest Department and Hescom have been instructed to clear tree branches and wires that cause hindrance to the immersion procession route, while Police Department would make arrangements like traffic diversion. Barricades on the alternative procession route would be removed temporarily for the smooth movement of tall idols. The HDMC would take up patchworks to fill potholes on the route, he noted, adding that proper co-ordination would be achieved between the departments concerned. HDMC Commissioner Rudresh Ghali, Deputy Commissioner of Police Shruthi N S, Raveesh C R, RFO R S Uppar, Hubballi Shri Sarvajanika Ganeshotsava Samitigala Mahamandal honorary secretary Amaresh Hipparagi, Shree Gajanan Mahamandal president D Raghu, and others were present.

Source: Deccan Herald