New tech device to immerse Ganeshas in less than a min
The Hyderabad police which faces a tough time during the immersion of thousands of Ganesha idols in Hussainsagar lake, with each big idol taking around eight minutes, could get permission to use a mechanical device which can complete the process in less than a minute.
The Quick Release Device (QRD) developed by a private firm was successfully tested on Sunday night. The device can handle idols weighing 20 tonnes. It is awaiting approval from the irrigation department that oversees the immersion process.
DCP, Central Zone, Joel Davis said, "From the moment the idol touches the water surface, the process gets completed in less than 20 seconds. Since the immersion time is reduced, other factors like traffic jams and the deployment of the force for long durations can be minimied.
The QRD, designed by a mechanical engineer, Mr T Muralidhar, works on mechanical action completely based on the centre of gravity. He took 48 hours to complete the prototype. "Many designs were prepared before the final draft was approved. Our main aim was to reduce time to immerse the idols," he said.
For the immersion of idols on nimajjanam day, as many as 25 cranes will be deployed around Hussainsagar. This device could support the iron base, metal base and bamboo base frames but for the flat base idols, the hook-type cranes would be used.
With the conventional method of using cranes with hooks, the immersion of over 13,000 big idols took two days last year. The city police is hopeful that the irigation department would give its nod to this innovative invention.