Ensure peace and harmony during the festival: Top cop

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: In preparation for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival in the city, a Peace Committee Meeting was held at the Townhall during which the chiefs of the department addressed public concerns on Thursday evening.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda, Chief Commissioner of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Tushar Girinath, Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, MN Anucheth and other police officials along with chiefs from Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM), Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and various community leaders took part in the The Sarvajanika Shanthi Souharda Sabha or the Peace Committee meeting.

Tushar Girinath said that a single-window-system has been set-up at 65 sub-divisions in all the eight zones to grant permission for Ganesha pandals.

"Those who want to install Ganesha idols can get permission within 48 hours from here," he said.

"Counters will be arranged near the lakes for immersion and necessary staff will be deployed for it. POP Ganesha idols have been banned and people are requested to ensure that the festival happens in an ecofriendly way," he added.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said that the festival must take place with peace and harmony without any disturbances and untoward incidents in the city.

Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, MN Anuchet said that necessary arrangements will be made to ensure smooth flow of traffic during the celebrations but the citizens have to cooperate with the police and must not park their vehicles in no-parking zones and cause trouble to other motorists.

The BESCOM officials were asked to make arrangements for sufficient lights around the lakes during immersion and while the procession is taking place.