Thane Ganeshotsav: Only 88 Idols Immersed At Artificial Lake Against 525 At Creek Ghat, Raising Eco Concerns

Thane, September 17 - The Ganeshotsav festival has seen a notable shift in where devotees choose to immerse Ganesha idols, sparking concerns over environmental sustainability. At the artificial lake near Ashtavinayak Chowk in Kopri, only 88 idols were immersed, significantly fewer than the 525 placed at the Thane Creek ghat near Chendani Koliwada Port.

This stark difference highlights a growing preference for natural water bodies over artificial lakes. Experts argue that municipal authorities should adapt their policies to match these ground realities instead of depending on underused artificial ponds. Dr. Prashant Sinkar, an environmental researcher from Thane, emphasized, "With such clear public preferences, we must rethink our eco-friendly immersion strategies."

While artificial lakes could still be an option, the city must invest in permanent, scientifically designed immersion setups along natural waterways for those preferring such locations. Questions also arose about the accuracy of municipal data. The Thane Municipal Corporation reported 20,703 immersions in total, including 9,600 clay and 11,103 plaster of Paris idols across various venues.

However, environmentalists questioned if the 525 immersions at Chendani Koliwada were included and how materials were categorized without precise local data. The Pollution Control Department responded by stating the figures were provided directly by ward-level Assistant Commissioners. Advocates now call for the civic body to study permanent, scientifically engineered immersion facilities, similar to Talaopali’s Datta Ghat, to ensure future celebrations are environmentally sustainable.