Ganeshotsav 2026: BMC Steps Up Safety, Eco-Friendly Measures At Mumbai Immersion Sites Ahead Of Major Visarjan Days
Mumbai, September 16, 2026: With major Ganpati visarjan days (5th, 7th and 10th day of the festival) approaching, the immersion sites are set to draw large crowds across Mumbai. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide on Wednesday directed civic officials to ensure foolproof safety arrangements, adequate facilities for devotees, like sufficient lighting, drinking water and public toilets, and strict…
Mumbai, September 16, 2026: As the major Ganpati visarjan days draw near, the city's immersion sites are preparing to handle large crowds. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has ordered civic officials to guarantee secure safety measures, ample amenities such as lighting, water and restrooms for worshippers, and stringent environmental safeguards at the immersion sites.
Officials have been instructed to allocate sufficient rafts and trained lifeguards according to crowd size, as well as free crane facilities for the safer immersion of larger idols. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation has meticulously prepared for the immersion festivities. On Wednesday, Commissioner Bhide personally visited Swarajyabhoomi (Girgaon Chowpatty) and Dadar Chowpatty, the major natural water body immersion sites in the city, to assess the preparedness.
On the second day of the festival, 61,640 idols were immersed, including 301 sarvajanik mandals of Ganesh idols. This figure is slightly higher than last year's count, as per available data up to the stroke of midnight. The 10-day Ganeshotsav commenced on September 14 and will conclude on September 25. The final day, Anant Chaturdashi, typically witnesses the highest number of immersions, particularly of larger and traditional sarvajanik Ganpati mandals idols.
Commissioner Bhide inspected the arrangements at these two key sites and directed officials to maintain observation towers, rafts, nirmalya collection bins and steel plates along the immersion routes in optimal working condition. The commissioner emphasized that safety must be the primary concern throughout the immersion period and called for seamless coordination among all agencies to ensure a smooth, orderly, and secure process.
Mumbai has a total of 67 natural immersion sites, including seafronts, rivers and lakes. This year, the BMC has set up artificial ponds at 383 locations across the city, compared to 258 last year.
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