Bharath confirms Ganesh idol immersion to proceed in K-C Canal as usual

The immersion of Ganesh idols will take place in the Kurnool-Cuddapah (K-C) Canal itself, as in the previous years in Kurnool city, honouring the sentiments of the devotees and the request of the Ganesh Utsav Committee, said Industries and Commerce Minister T.G. Bharath Gupta.Due to low rainfall in the upstream areas, the K-C Canal had not received much water and the district administration had initially urged the pandal organisers to install small Ganesh idols made of clay for immersion in vessels at home. However, it was later decided that the idols could be immersed in the Handri-Neeva Canal passing through the city.As the idol immersion at Vinayaka Ghat has been a longstanding tradition, Mr. Bharath held a meeting with members of the Ganesh Utsav Committee and officials to discuss arrangements for the immersion.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that Kurnool holds a special place among cities as it ranks behind Hyderabad in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh for celebrating Ganesh immersion with great grandeur and devotion. “To uphold the tradition spanning over 40 years and conceding to the requests of committee members, it has been decided that the Ganesh immersion will take place in the K-C Canal this year also,” he said.However, due to the unavailability of water at the Sunkesula Barrage, where water levels have been at their lowest in two decades, there is no possibility of drawing water from there into the K-C Canal. “The limited water available in Sunkesula is being conserved to meet drinking water needs,” he said.The Minister said retaining walls were being constructed in the upstream and downstream sections of the K-C Canal to create a tank-like structure capable of holding water over a stretch of approximately 600 metres. “About 2 million litres of water can be made available through treated water from Kurnool water supply centre and others. It is anticipated that the water level will reach between 6 and 9 feet by the time of the immersion, thereby facilitating the immersion of Ganesh idols by devotees,” Mr. Bharath said.The Minister said that they were intensifying efforts to put in place the necessary cranes, safety measures, and other infrastructure within a 600-metre radius. He explained that although locations near the Nannuru toll gate, Tadakanapalli, and Ulindakonda along the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) canal were considered for the immersion, the decision was made to conduct the event in the K-C Canal out of respect for the sentiments and appeals of devotees and Utsav committee members.Meanwhile, Panyam MLA Gouru Charitha Reddy said that, given the grand manner in which Vinayaka Chavithi celebrations have been held in Kurnool city for the past four decades, measures must be taken to conduct this year’s immersion ceremony in a way that respects devotees’ sentiments and prevents any untoward incidents.District Superintendent of Police (SP) Vikranth Patil said all necessary precautions regarding security arrangements would be taken to ensure the successful conduct of the immersion event. Published - September 15, 2026 07:26 pm IST