Ganesh festivities generate 4,527 tonnes of additional Hyderabad waste

Hyderabad’s Ganesh festivities generated 4,527 metric tonnes of additional waste during the 11 days ending September 25, according to official records cited by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). The figure was about 40% higher than the 3,266 metric tonnes collected during last year’s festivities. It was also roughly four times the waste recorded three years ago, when about 1,100 metric tonnes were generated in 2023.

GHMC sanitation teams cleared roads and immersion points throughout the celebrations. A total of 136 teams worked around the clock, while more than 6,000 sweepers were deployed continuously to remove waste each day. At Hussainsagar, 770 workers were assigned to keep the immersion point clean.

The waste included paper confetti, disposable plates, cups and other material left after celebrations. Flower and foliage waste from idol-carrying vehicles was also cleared from roads. The account noted that sanitation workers had cleaned key roads even before the immersion activities had ended.

At Hussainsagar, vehicles carried idols towards cranes that lifted them into the lake. The area also saw revellers, police deployments and large numbers of immersion-related vehicles. Despite the cleaning effort, traces of confetti, used plates and other refuse remained on some roads.

GHMC officials said 1.15 lakh idols had been immersed in lakes within the civic body’s jurisdiction by 5 p.m. on September 26. Hussainsagar alone accounted for a reported 66,000 immersions.

The rising volume of waste was reported alongside the municipal effort to clear it. The figures show an increase over both the previous year and 2023, while the civic body’s teams continued dealing with waste generated at roads, festival sites and immersion locations.