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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to construct another 75 artificial ponds before the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration. The step comes as a major effort to make the celebrations environmentally friendly. The goal of
the initiative is to reduce congestion and guarantee adherence to court orders during the city's busy idol immersion season.
Of the 75 additional artificial ponds throughout Mumbai this year, four will make their debuts at Girgaon Chowpatty, one of the most famous and traditional immersion locations in the city.
BMC previously oversaw about 200 of these ponds, but this year, in anticipation of the increasing number of idols being submerged, there will be at least 275 artificial ponds, Mumbai Mirror reported.
The BMC reported 76,709 idol immersions in 204 ponds in 2023, and by 2024, that number had increased to 85,305 immersions in 206 ponds. With approximately 2.5 lakh immersions every year, including the contributions of around 11,000 registered Sarvajanik Mandals, it makes sense to mobilise more artificial ponds to avoid crowding and logistical hitches.
According to a senior BMC official, Girgaon Chowpatty has long been the primary location for South Mumbai residents; therefore, most people wish to immerse their
idols there.
“However, we are required to follow the court’s order regarding height restrictions. Our priority is to ensure seamless and peaceful immersions and to avoid disputes. Therefore, we have decided to create four artificial ponds at Chowpatty,” the senior official noted.
With thousands of devotees visiting each year, Girgaon Chowpatty has long been known as the centre for extensive immersions. It is expected that the installation of new ponds will enable a more orderly celebration, lessen congestion, and fairly disperse the
flow of idols.
The civic body expects the action will protect public convenience while striking a balance between adhering to legal obligations and honouring tradition.
Furthermore, the BMC is taking environmentally friendly steps with regard to idol remnants: in accordance with orders from the High Court, remains of Plaster-of-Paris (POP) idols submerged in both man-made and natural water bodies will be taken to the civic body's recycling facility at Shilphata in Thane for scientific disposal, as per the Free Press Journal.
According to Deputy Municipal Commissioner Prashant Sapkale, the final pond counts are being adjusted in accordance with the needs of each ward. The full deployment will begin before Ganesh Chaturthi, which starts on August 27 of this year.
Of the 75 additional artificial ponds throughout Mumbai this year, four will make their debuts at Girgaon Chowpatty, one of the most famous and traditional immersion locations in the city.
BMC previously oversaw about 200 of these ponds, but this year, in anticipation of the increasing number of idols being submerged, there will be at least 275 artificial ponds, Mumbai Mirror reported.
The BMC reported 76,709 idol immersions in 204 ponds in 2023, and by 2024, that number had increased to 85,305 immersions in 206 ponds. With approximately 2.5 lakh immersions every year, including the contributions of around 11,000 registered Sarvajanik Mandals, it makes sense to mobilise more artificial ponds to avoid crowding and logistical hitches.
According to a senior BMC official, Girgaon Chowpatty has long been the primary location for South Mumbai residents; therefore, most people wish to immerse their
“However, we are required to follow the court’s order regarding height restrictions. Our priority is to ensure seamless and peaceful immersions and to avoid disputes. Therefore, we have decided to create four artificial ponds at Chowpatty,” the senior official noted.
With thousands of devotees visiting each year, Girgaon Chowpatty has long been known as the centre for extensive immersions. It is expected that the installation of new ponds will enable a more orderly celebration, lessen congestion, and fairly disperse the
The civic body expects the action will protect public convenience while striking a balance between adhering to legal obligations and honouring tradition.
Furthermore, the BMC is taking environmentally friendly steps with regard to idol remnants: in accordance with orders from the High Court, remains of Plaster-of-Paris (POP) idols submerged in both man-made and natural water bodies will be taken to the civic body's recycling facility at Shilphata in Thane for scientific disposal, as per the Free Press Journal.
According to Deputy Municipal Commissioner Prashant Sapkale, the final pond counts are being adjusted in accordance with the needs of each ward. The full deployment will begin before Ganesh Chaturthi, which starts on August 27 of this year.
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