No consensus on shifting idol immersion from Hussain Sagar

An all-party meeting called by the Telangana government on Tuesday failed to arrive at consensus on shifting Ganesh idol immersion from Hussain Sagar in Hyderabad to protect the lake from pollution.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opposed the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government's proposal to build Vinayak Sagar, an artificial lake near Hussain Sagar for immersion of idols.
The four-and-half hour long meeting presided over by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and attended by leaders of all political parties failed to arrive at a decision on the issue. It was decided to call another meeting on Dec 16 to discuss the issue further.
BJP state president G. Kishan Reddy said no other lake was suitable for immersion of idols. He suggested that efforts be made to convince people to make only small and medium size idols.
Leaders of the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) urged the government to deal with the sensitive issue carefully and consult the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi before taking any decision.
Every year thousands of idols are immersed in Hussain Sagar, the picturesque lake which divides the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The government says this is leading to the pollution.
The chief minister last month announced plans for cleaning, protection and beautification of the lake and also building skyscrapers including the world's tallest tower around it.
Chandrasekhar Rao mooted the idea of developing an artificial lake in Indira Park for immersion. He announced that the lake will be known as Vinayak Sagar and in view of the public sentiment to immerse idols in the waters of Hussain Sagar, the proposed lake will be filled with its water.
The meeting also failed to arrive at consensus on proposed change of alignment of Hyderabad Metro Rail in the old city of Hyderabad.
The BJP and Congress opposed the demand from Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) that the alignment be changed to protect several religious structures and private properties.
The parties, however, supported the government's proposal to change the alignment at assembly building and Sultan Bazar.