Ganesha immersion turns green: Visarjan in artificial ponds jumps to 48% this year from 41.5% last year

This year, the BMC set up 204 artificial ponds, marking a nearly seven per cent increase from the 191 ponds established in 2023.

These artificial ponds are constructed using inflatable tubes filled with water.

Of the immersed Ganpati idols, 62,197 were household idols, 348 were sarvajanik (community) idols, and 24 were hartalika idols.

Civic officials reported that over 98 per cent of the idols immersed in the artificial ponds were household idols. “Like past few years, we have set up artificial ponds in housing societies, public parks to facilitate immediate immersion of the idols. Due to these lakes there has been minimal immersion of idols in the natural water bodies, reducing water pollution due to the presence of toxic components found in Plaster of Paris (PoP) used for making these idols,” said an official.

Last year, total 65,684 idols were immersed after one-and-a-half day of Ganeshotsav in Mumbai, of which, 27,290 idols or 41.5 per cent were immersed in artificial ponds.

In addition, the BMC received 3,858 applications for setting up sarvajanik Ganesh mandals this year.
Permissions were granted to 2,462 applicants. In comparison, the BMC received 3,767 applications in 2023, with 2,729 permissions granted.

Last year, total 65,684 idols were immersed after one and half day of Ganeshotsav in Mumbai, of which, 27,290 idols or 41.5% were immersed in artificial ponds