Hyderabad, Aug 27, 2025: The Telangana High Court has issued fresh guidelines for the upcoming Ganesh festival to ensure smooth celebrations, public safety, and environmental protection. The directions came while hearing a plea against the unauthorised installation of a Ganesh pandal in Hyderabad.
HC Guidelines for Ganesh Festival in Telangana
The High Court bench of Justice N V Shravan Kumar directed police and municipal authorities to strictly regulate pandals and celebrations. The new rules focus on traffic management, noise control, eco-friendly idols, and safety measures.
Key Guidelines
- Pandals must not obstruct traffic or block entrances to homes, hospitals, and emergency exits.
- Permissions are mandatory from local police and civic authorities before erecting pandals.
- Idols should be placed in designated community grounds or open areas instead of on roads.
- Power connections must be secured to prevent accidents.
- Sound systems allowed only between 6 PM and 10 PM, with decibel levels closely monitored.
- Loudspeakers must not face residential areas, hospitals, or schools.
- Eco-friendly idols and materials are mandatory to reduce pollution.
- Organisers must register pandals officially and provide an undertaking to follow all rules.
- Organisers are responsible for cleaning the premises after rituals and immersion.
- Police help desks must be set up in every station to handle complaints about noise or nuisance.
Case Background
The directions came in response to a writ petition filed by Patha Sunil Kumar, a resident of SR Nagar, Hyderabad, who complained about a Ganesh pandal being erected outside his house. He argued that the pandal would block access to his residence and create excessive noise, posing a health risk to his pregnant wife.
The government informed the court that permission for the specific pandal had already been rejected. However, the High Court observed that the matter raised issues of public interest, requiring broader guidelines for the festival.
Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations in Telangana
Ganesh Chavithi, also known as Ganesh Chaturthi, is being celebrated across Telangana on August 27, 2025. Over 1.4 lakh big and medium-sized idols are expected to be installed and immersed during the 10-day festivities, with the grand culmination scheduled for September 5, 2025.
The High Court’s directions are expected to bring more order, safety, and eco-friendliness to the celebrations across Hyderabad and Telangana.
