Pune, 27 August 2025: The city is preparing for its grand Ganeshotsav celebrations beginning tomorrow, with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) rolling out special measures to ensure cleanliness, safety, and eco-friendly immersion of idols. With lakhs of devotees expected, the civic body has focused on idol donation, separate collection of floral waste, and reuse of clay to minimize pollution.
Over the years, PMC has encouraged citizens to donate idols instead of immersing them in rivers. Last year, more than 1.76 lakh idols were donated. This time, the civic body has set up 241 idol donation centres across Pune, aiming to strengthen the eco-friendly practice and protect water bodies.
To manage immersions, PMC has built 38 permanent immersion tanks and arranged 648 iron tanks at 281 spots across the city. Floral waste, often dumped into rivers, will be collected separately at 328 designated points. Last year, 706 tonnes of such waste were processed into compost at the Pashan lake facility. The same method will be followed this year.
A key initiative this year is clay reuse. Since natural clay is limited, PMC has established 46 clay collection centres where the clay and partially dissolved idols will be returned to artisans for reuse. Awareness campaigns involving NGOs will support this effort at immersion sites.
The civic body has appealed to citizens to participate actively, avoid crowding at single immersion spots, and contribute to eco-friendly celebrations. According to PMC officials, the success of these initiatives depends largely on public cooperation.
