BMC’s artificial lakes see record number of Ganesh idol immersions

The artificial lakes are makeshift tanks that are created using inflatable tubes which are filled with water. The basic purpose of these tanks is to immerse the Ganesh idols, since a majority of these idols, made of Plaster of Paris (PoP), don’t dissolve when immersed in water, in turn polluting the water body and harming the aquatic life.

As many as 65,684 idols were immersed this year after the one-and-a-half-day celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi festival as against last year’s 83,072 idol immersions on the first day.

Out of the total idols that were immersed in artificial lakes this year, around 27,122 were Gharguti (household) idols while 168 were Sarvajanik idols.

This year the BMC has set up close to 210 artificial lakes in Mumbai, compared to 154 that it had set up last year. Earlier only one or two such lakes were set up in each of the 24 municipal wards. However, after the pandemic broke out in 2020 the number of lakes was increased since people were not allowed to gather on beaches.

As many as 22,891 idols were immersed in these lakes in 2020, while the following year 24,556 idols were immersed in these lakes.

Civic officials said the increase in the immersion of idols in artificial lakes is mainly due to the rising awareness of people on protecting the environment.

“In every ward, we have deployed as many artificial tanks as possible. Due to this people needn’t go to the beach and stand in queues to immerse their idols. The immersion in these tanks is being carried out by keeping in mind all the religious sentiments,” said a civic body official, adding that Sarvajanik Mandals will continue to use the natural water bodies as their idols are larger in size.

This year, the BMC on its Chatbot platform introduced a new facility through which the public can locate their nearest artificial tank from their location. Officials said that this has also encouraged citizens to use this facility.

A week before the Ganesh Chaturthi festival the Bombay High Court had instructed the civic body to ensure safe immersion of idols.

The 10-day long festival started on September 19 and will end on September 28, the day of Anant Chaturdashi.