In compliance with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives to protect the city’s historic water bodies, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has accelerated the development of permanent, dedicated immersion ghats at alternative locations. The move follows a total ban on idol immersion in major lakes, aimed at curbing pollution and preserving the aquatic ecosystem. Officials from the BMC’s Lake Conservation Cell confirmed that starting this year, traditional lake ghats will no longer be permitted for idol immersion during the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri festivals. Construction is currently in full swing at Malikhedi and within the Barkatullah University (BU) campus to meet the festive deadline. In addition to the ongoing work at Malikhedi and BU, the civic body has finalised two more sites at Sanjeev Nagar and Neelbadh. Tenders for these locations have already been processed, and work is expected to commence shortly.

 

Although planning was completed last year, the project had remained stalled until recently. With the festive season approaching, BMC Commissioner Sanskriti Jain is reportedly monitoring the progress through regular site inspections. Following the NGT’s stern orders, immersion in Bhopal’s iconic Upper Lake (Bada Talab) and Lower Lake (Chhota Talab) has been completely prohibited. While the ban was technically in force last year, the lack of fully developed alternative infrastructure created significant logistical hurdles. This year, the BMC aims to provide a seamless transition to dedicated facilities to avoid such challenges. At present, temporary arrangements exist at Bairagarh, Malikhedi, Prempura, Khatlapura, Hathai Kheda Dam, and Arch Bridge. While the Bairagarh site is already well-developed due to its distance from the Upper Lake, the corporation is also evaluating further infrastructure upgrades at the Prempura ghat. Executive Engineer Pramod Malviya stated that the primary objective is to ensure the ecological health of Bhopal’s historic lakes. “With four dedicated sites either under construction or in the pipeline, we are committed to providing sustainable alternatives. If construction continues at the current pace, the new immersion facilities will be fully functional before the festivals begin,” Malviya added.