BMC created 300 artificial ponds for Ganpati idol immersion

The state government of Maharashtra has imposed many restrictions on Ganeshotsav 2020 celebrations, due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Keeping the directives in mind, the Brhanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has asked the citizens and mandals to immerse the idols at one of the artificial ponds in the city. This decision was taken to ensure no crowd gathers at the sea during Ganpati Visarjan.

Assistant Commissioners at the BMC, across several divisions, have been given the responsibility to construct these artificial ponds, and as per reports, more than 300 ponds have been created in 24 divisions across Mumbai. Citizens can perform visarjan at Girgaon Chowpatty, Worli, Dadar, Bandra, Khar, Saat Bangla, Juhu, Vesave, Gorai, Madh, Marve and other areas.

Officials earlier stated that this was necessary to ensure that the festivities do not lead in spreading coronavirus among the public, as the crowd gathers every year during the festival.

Reports also state that each zone will have anywhere between 15 to 35 artificial ponds based on the study conducted by the officials. So far, 35 artificial lakes have been constructed in Ward K-East (Andheri East) and 15 have been constructed in Dadar and Mahim. There are also nine artificial lakes made in Ward KS (Worli, NMJoshi Marg).

Officials have also planned mobile artificial lakes. The number of artificial ponds has increased in comparison to the 34 ponds last year, which was used for the Visarjan of around 33,000 domestic Ganpati idols and 800 Gauri idols.

Besides this decision, CM Uddhav Thackeray, in a meeting with several officials and associations, requested the Ganpati mandals to celebrate the festivities in a low-key manner. Respecting this, many popular mandals have either cancelled the festivals or planned as directed by the government. This year, no mandal in Maharashtra will be allowed to have an idol which is more than four feet, and officials have also stated that only a certain number of people will be allowed at mandals this year. Public visits should be avoided.