NMC’s 419 immersion tanks ensure eco-friendly Ganesh idols immersion in city

 

 

 From the crackle of dhol-tasha echoing through city’s lanes to devotees clutching their Ganesh idols with mixed joy and sadness, every corner of the city reflected the spirit of Ganeshotsav’s grand culmination on Saturday. Families and mandals danced their way to the immersion sites, chanting “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya”, carrying a collective promise for the deity’s return. The 11th day of the festival witnessed immersion of thousands of idols across the city. The immersion process, which began in the morning, stretched late into the night, yet unfolded in a largely disciplined and devotional atmosphere.

 

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) had laid out arrangements to ensure a smooth immersion. A total of 419 immersion tanks were created at 216 locations across all ten zones of the city. Larger tanks were set up at Gorewada, Police Line Takli, and Kachhi Visa Ground, Lakadganj to accommodate bigger idols, where cranes were deployed to assist the process. To prevent crowding, immersion tanks were strategically spread across localities. At no single site overcrowding or long queues were observed. A report from the NMC mentioned that over the 11 days of the festival, a total of 1,52,069 clay idols and 9,456 idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) were immersed. The majority of these, 1,30,667 clay idols and 7,402 PoP idols, were immersed on Saturday alone. In addition, 201.41 tonnes of ‘nirmalya’ (floral offerings) were collected separately over the 11 days, aided by the placement of urns at immersion sites to discourage offerings being thrown directly into the water.

 

Supervised by NMC Commissioner and Administrator Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari, and monitored by Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Singal, the civic and police officials worked round the clock. Disaster management teams equipped with boats were stationed at larger sites, while police control rooms were set up at several immersion centres. Senior officials including Additional Commissioners Vasumana Pant and Vaishnavi B, Deputy Commissioner of Solid Waste Management Rajesh Bhagat, and Chief Sanitation Officer Dr Gajendra Mahalle were also present to oversee the arrangements. Public response to NMC’s appeal for an eco-friendly celebration was encouraging. While a few instances were observed of flowers being immersed along with idols, many devotees were mindful of removing nirmalya themselves, without needing intervention from sanitation staff or volunteers. Support from voluntary organisations and students also strengthened the city’s effort.

 

At multiple sites, members of Green Vigil Foundation and student volunteers from Shri Ramdeobaba College of Engineering and Management assisted devotees in the immersion process. For the convenience of senior citizens and families unable to travel, NMC had also arranged mobile immersion tanks on a call-based facility. Meanwhile, at Chitnis Park, fifteen immersion tanks were set up, named after rivers such as Godavari, Krishna, Narmada, Wainganga, and Wardha, giving the space both a symbolic and cultural resonance.