Pune: Despite the awareness drive taken by the civic body and  pro-environment groups, the immersion figure shared by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) show that the number of idols immersed in the river has not dropped as compared to last year. 25,181 more Ganesh idols were immersed this year as compared to last year (2017-18). On the other hand, less number of idols were immersed in ponds this year as compared to last year.

Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) solid waste management department has given detailed information about 10 days of the festival. According to them, this year, 2,47,345 idols were immersed in rivers, lakes, ponds, tanks built by the civic body and in canals. This figure was 2, 22,164 in 2017-18. It shows that idols immersed in natural sources of water have gone up by 25, 181.

While speaking to Sakal Times, Dnyaneshwar Molak, Head of the solid waste management department of PMC, said, “We have seen numbers of idols immersed in tanks rather than ponds. It happened due to newly merged 11 villages in the corporation limits. Due to which, we increased temporary tanks in this area.”

Rivers, canals preferred for immersion 

73, 270 idols were immersed in canal water in 2017. This year, the figure is 1,09,873. The canal is another most liked option for people to immerse idols. 

While speaking to Sakal Times, Assistant Municipal Commissioner Suresh Jagtap, who was in charge of solid waste management department when corporation initiated pond immersion concept, said, “It is true that people are still preferring river and canals to immerse idols. Also people are using ponds and tanks.”

One of the senior officials said, “Now, the time has come for us to stop releasing water in rivers from dams for immersion and canals if we want to stop water pollution. Some organisations are presuming that it is a tradition to immerse idols in flowing water and they are telling people so the trend is not diminishing.”