Ahead of Vinayaka Chaturthi celebration on August 27, the top officers of Greater Chennai Police (GCP) held a meeting on Thursday with 150 representatives from Hindu outfits and political parties including BJP who are involved in installation of idols, taking procession and immersion.
Additional Commissioners- N. Kannan, Pravesh Kumar and G. Karthikyan presided over the meeting held at the city police commissionerate in Vepery and elaborated the guidelines. As per the guidelines, organisers must obtain permission from landowners, local bodies and departments concerned, along with NOCs from the Fire Department and Tangedco, for putting up idols.
Applications must also be submitted at local police stations, with an undertaking to follow rules. Idols cannot exceed 10 feet in height and must not be placed near places of worship, hospitals or schools. Slogans inciting communal disharmony are banned. Two volunteers must be deployed at each pandal for security, while political or religious banners are prohibited.
Immersions are permitted only on approved days, routes and vehicles. Crackers at pandals, processions or immersion points are banned. Police stressed that all immersions must be conducted peacefully, in line with court and government orders.
Published – August 21, 2025 11:04 pm IST
