Mumbai Records 97.27% Eco-Friendly Ganpati Immersions As Nearly 2 Lakh Idols Shifted To Artificial Ponds

Mumbai witnessed a remarkable shift towards eco-friendly Ganpati idol immersions this year, with 97.27% of the idols submerged in artificial ponds. This environmentally-conscious trend saw nearly 2 lakh idols immersed across the city during the Ganeshotsav celebrations. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) took the lead in promoting this initiative by setting up 383 artificial ponds throughout the city.

These ponds were strategically placed, including some at natural immersion sites to accommodate idols up to 6 feet in height made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) and clay.

According to the BMC, 1,22,391 PoP idols and 69,846 clay idols were immersed in artificial ponds, while 5,259 PoP idols and 123 clay idols over 6 feet in height were immersed in natural water bodies such as the sea, rivers, and lakes. However, the remaining idols were retrieved and processed at a dumping plot in Mulund, amounting to 2,754.85 metric tonnes of idol remains.

This year's retrieval exceeded the previous year's by over 250 metric tonnes, although the BMC has not yet finalized the scientific disposal method. The retrieved materials are currently stored at the Mulund plot, awaiting the implementation of the chosen method.

Two disposal methods were suggested by the Bombay High Court: biological disintegration using chemicals or the calcination process (wet and dry). Last year, the BMC conducted a pilot experiment processing 10 metric tonnes of materials, which they deemed infeasible and expensive. Consequently, they opted for a private company to handle the scientific processing.

The artificial ponds installed this year totaled 383, alongside 67 natural immersion spots. In total, 1,97,625 idols were immersed this year, with 1,22,391 made of PoP and up to 6 feet in height, while 69,846 clay idols met the same criteria. Additionally, 5,259 PoP idols and 123 clay idols over 6 feet were immersed in natural water bodies.