Pimpri: As the ten-day Ganesh festival comes to a close in Pimpri-Chinchwad, devotees have responded positively to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) eco-friendly initiatives for idol immersion, with a significant number opting to donate their Ganesh idols rather than immerse them in water bodies.
The "Idol Donation" initiative, aimed at reducing water pollution, has received widespread support from citizens. Many households that participated in the immersion process at various ghats chose to donate their idols for recycling, helping to minimize the environmental impact of traditional immersions. This initiative is part of the PCMC’s broader efforts to promote sustainable practices during the festival.
In addition to idol donations, PCMC constructed artificial immersion tanks across the city for devotees who preferred the traditional immersion process.
These specially designed tanks ensure that the idols are immersed in a controlled environment, preventing any harm to natural water bodies like the Pavana River. The civic body has also set up separate offering tanks to collect floral waste, further contributing to the eco-friendly disposal of offerings.
To oversee the smooth functioning of these eco-conscious measures, Additional Commissioner Chandrakant Indalkar inspected key immersion sites such as Jadhav Ghat in Walhekarwadi, the ghat near Birla Bridge in Chinchwad, and Subhash Ghat in Pimpri.
Officials, including Chief Security Officer Uday Jarande, Chief Disaster Management Officer Omprakash Bahival, and Special Officer Kiran Gaikwad, were present to ensure that all safety protocols and arrangements were in place.
The PCMC’s arrangements included the construction of artificial ponds and installation of safety barriers along the riverbank to prevent access to natural water sources. Water was not released into the Pavana River from the dam, highlighting the administration's commitment to protecting the environment.
Despite some delays in the arrival of larger Ganesh mandals for immersion, household immersions and donations continued smoothly throughout the day. Girijat Mitra Mandal was one of the first to proceed towards the ghat, starting its journey around 4 PM.
