Hyderabad preps safety nets as first Hot Air Balloon Festival 2026 kicks off
Hyderabad preps safety nets as first Hot Air Balloon Festival 2026 kicks off
Fire services deploy at Parade Grounds, Qutb Shahi Tombs, and Jalamandali Park as Hyderabad readies for the city’s first Hot Air Balloon Festival 2026, with strict no-fly zones and rapid-response teams.
As Sankranti celebrations gather pace across Hyderabad, the Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department has put in place a comprehensive safety and emergency plan for the city’s first Hot Air Balloon Festival 2026, to be held at multiple locations. Senior fire officials said fire tenders, quick response teams, and specialised personnel have been deployed at the designated take-off and landing points after a coordination meeting involving organisers, the Telangana Tourism Department, and police authorities. The aim is to ensure swift response to any emergency during the festival.
At Parade Grounds in Secunderabad, balloons will be lifted to about 60 feet but there will be no free flying due to airspace regulations. This 'no-flying zone' setup reduces risk, per Hyderabad District Fire Officer Ajmeera Sreedas. The venue will host two fire tenders, two quick-response vehicles, and two fire bikes, with around 15 fire personnel on standby throughout the festival.
In Rangareddy district, arrangements mirror the Secunderabad setup at the take-off and landing sites of Qutb Shahi Tombs and Jalamandali Park in Gandipet. Here, one fire tender with an extinguisher party of six personnel plus quick-response vehicles will be on site.
Officials emphasized the department would stay on high alert and coordinate with organisers and local police to keep safety at the forefront of the celebrations, which are tied to Sankranti. Tickets for certain flights have already drawn crowds: morning rides near Golconda Fort were priced around ₹2,000, while Parade Ground rides cost ₹15 for vertical experiences.
