38,094 Ganesha idols immersed in Mumbai, half in artificial tanks

MUMBAI: As many as 38,094 Ganesha idols were immersed in the city till 9pm on Sunday -a marginal drop from last year's 38,415 idols-as chants and the beating of drums filled the air on Day 2 of the 10-day festival. Over 49% of these idols were immersed in artificial tanks created by BMC across the city. Last year, that figure hovered at 45%.

Only 195 of the 38,094 idols were sarvajanik community ones, while 37,879 were from households and 20 were Hartalika idols. Among the 18,696 idols immersed in artificial tanks, 143 were community ones, 18,537 from households and 16 Hartalika idols. As per a BMC release, no untoward incident was reported during the immersion processions.

Naresh Dahibavkar, president of Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, said, "Among household idols, a majority seemed to be eco-friendly. The artificial tanks are getting a good response. There is an increasing trend towards making Ganeshotsav environment-friendly. There has been an increase in household idols, especially among the youth, including students, and those who moved to the city for employment."

He suggested that govt provide subsidies to those making eco-friendly idols "as plaster of Paris is still attractive in terms of costs". CM Eknath Shinde had last Friday urged people to celebrate the festival in an eco-friendly way.

Devotees thronged several sites, including Girgaum Chowpatty, which typically sees the most immersions in the city. Various civic services and facilities have been provided by D ward officials to devotees at Girgaum Chowpatty. According to deputy municipal commissioner Prashant Sapkale, preparations at the site began two months ago, and 478 steel plates and 43 German rafts have been arranged at various locations to allow for immersions of small idols to prevent vehicles from getting stuck in the sand. Forty-eight motorboats with 761 lifeguards have been deployed at the site. For collection of garlands and flowers offered by devotees, 274 'Nirmalya' vehicles, along with 163 'Nirmalya Kalashas', have also been provided by the civic body.

Devotees can access information on artificial lakes in the city through QR code pasted outside sculptors' workshops. Scanning them will generate Google Maps links.

BMC has issued precautions to be taken while carrying out immersions and to be on guard against blue button jellyfish and stingrays.