The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has set up a single-window clearance cell for granting permissions related to the Ganesh Chavithi celebrations, scheduled to be held on August 27.

Municipal Commissioner Ketan Garg on Wednesday said such cells have been set up at the GVMC head office and Zonal Offices to issue permissions to individuals, resident welfare associations, NGOs, voluntary organisations and festival committees or setting up Ganesh pandals .

Pandal organisers can approach the nodal officers at the GVMC head office are GVMC Chief Medical Officer E.N.V. Naresh Kumar (9848308823), City Planner V. Meena Kumari (8374996677), Executive Engineer (Electrical Department) D. Sridhar (8187898427), Fire Officer B. Krupavaram (9912448555).

At the zone level, citizens have been advised to contact the respective Zonal Commissioners, Assistant Medical Officers, Assistant City Planners, and Executive Engineers of their zones, he said.

Mr. Garg urged the pandal organisers to ensure that the Ganesh idols are made of clay. “Use of Idols made from Plaster of Paris, thermocol or those painted with chemicals and synthetic colours is strictly prohibited,” Mr. Garg said.

For household celebrations, citizens are encouraged to immerse the clay idols in a container filled with water. Residents of colonies should use water tanks arranged at parks in their localities for immersion, he said.

Mr. Garg also said that those who wish to set up public entertainment stages in open areas must obtain prior permission from the designated Nodal Officers in accordance with prescribed rules.

He advised that cleanliness should be maintained throughout the festival.