Ganesh festival: BMC to have more artificial ponds for safe immersion of idols this yr

Last week, the high court had ordered several municipal bodies to come up with alternative means to ensure the natural water bodies aren’t polluted due to idol immersion during the festival. The civic body was also told to encourage usage of clay idols instead of Plaster of Paris (PoP), which is known to be a severe contributing factor towards water pollution.

“This year, we will create the highest number of artificial tanks in Mumbai to make sure the natural water bodies are not polluted. So far, we have made 200 artificial tanks and are aiming to augment the number within the next few days,” Ramakant Biradar, deputy municipal commissioner, told The Indian Express on Sunday.

Biradar also said that in Aarey, no idol immersion would be allowed in the natural Aarey Talao. “In Aarey forest, we will create multiple artificial tanks to ensure no idol is immersed in the lake,” he added. Civic officials said that municipal wards that are larger in terms of area and population will have more artificial tanks. The officials also maintained that in some pockets of the city mobile tanks will be created by mounting a tank on a truck for the convenience of citizens.

Ganpati idols make way to pandals ahead of #GaneshChaturthi2023.

Follow Live Updates: https://t.co/5cAYtJQG29 Photos: PTI pic.twitter.com/rlfgNFzXxQ — Express Mumbai (@ie_mumbai) September 17, 2023

Besides this, the civic officials have also said that a financial rebate is being provided to sculptors by the BMC, who have set up workshops for creating clay idols. “We have given out spaces free of rent to clay-idol makers who will use clay for setting up their workshops. We have collected a deposit of Rs 1,000 from them, this will also be refunded to them,” Biradar said. Meanwhile, civic officials at the ward level have said that close to 100 such workshops have been set up in the city this year.

“This year, we have assisted the sculptors by supplying clay and many of them received good responses. Hopefully, next year we will see more people coming in,” said an official. At a meeting convened by additional municipal commissioner, Ashwini Bhide, on Saturday, it was decided that special attention will be given towards the cleanliness and hygiene of Mumbai during the festive season. At present, ward officials are carrying out inspection rounds regularly to keep a lookout on the cleanliness of the city.