In a swift response to the report published in ‘The Hitavada’ on Thursday highlighting squalor and administrative lapses during Durga idol immersions, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) swung into action within hours, thoroughly cleaning the artificial immersion tanks and restoring order along the banks of Futala Lake. ‘The Hitavada’ carried an expose titled ‘Filthy Futala Lake exposes NMC’s poor preparedness during idol immersion’, underscoring how neglected artificial tanks overflowing with rotting nirmalya, sludge, and discarded Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols had compelled devotees to immerse idols in filthy water or directly into the protected water body. Roused by the report, sanitation squads from the Solid Waste Management Department were mobilised to the Amravati road-facing lakeside by afternoon.

 

Workers deployed earth-movers and waste lifters to dredge and clear the overflowing artificial tanks, hauling away truckloads of dumped floral offerings and submerged debris. The stagnant, foul-smelling water was drained out, and the enclosure surrounding the makeshift ghats was cleared and sanitised. Senior civic officials inspected the site around 1 pm to ensure zero spillage into the lake waters. Shivani Dani-Wakhare, Chairperson of Standing Committee, NMC, also took note of the situation and spearheaded efforts to coordinate between the relevant departments to ensure a quick resolution.

 

She said, “Merely listening to citizens concerns is not enough; it is crucial that timely, concrete action is taken to address them.” Whereas officials of the civic body expressed that maintaining cleanliness in public spaces requires the active participation of citizens. The public is urged not to discard nirmalya or other worship materials in the vicinity of lakes or on the streets after religious immersions, but rather to dispose of them at designated locations.