{
  "id": 9074806,
  "title": "BMC Deploys 174 Divers At Bhopal Ghats For Ganesh Idol Immersion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/bmc-deploys-174-divers-at-bhopal-ghats-for-ganesh-idol-immersion",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T03:32:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bmc-deploys-174-divers-at-bhopal-ghats-for-ganesh-idol-immersion"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has deployed 174 divers across seven immersion ghats from Tuesday until the end of the Ganesh idol immersion ceremonies. This deployment is a response to the 2019 Khatlapura Ghat tragedy, where around eight devotees lost their lives during idol immersion, highlighting the importance of stringent safety measures at immersion sites. At each ghat, teams of about 10 divers, including police personnel, will operate in 8-hour shifts, with 58 BMC divers on duty for each shift. The 174 divers include those from BMC and police stations outside the municipal limits, such as Itkhedi. Over 30,000 Ganesh idols were immersed in Bhopal last year, within a span of 15 hours. This year, the number is anticipated to rise by 10-15 tonnes, primarily due to an expected increase in the number of idols immersed. The remaining material from idol immersion, including flowers and cloth, will be collected, segregated, and sent to transfer stations, with a substantial portion being repurposed for manufacturing incense sticks. The BMC has not permitted idol immersion in Bhopal's Upper and Lower Lakes, as per National Green Tribunal directions. Instead, immersion is scheduled at Prempura, Khatlapura, Hathaikheda Dam, Arch Bridge, Bairagarh, and Malikhedi. Nodal officers are now responsible for ensuring cleanliness, lighting, drinking water, fire brigade support, and a sufficient number of divers at all ghats. The revised order mandates the addition of extra commissioners at Shahpura, Bairagarh, Malikhedi, Temrwal, Prempura, Rani Kamalapati, Hathaikheda Ghats, and Khatlapura Ghats. Traffic diversions have been announced for the Dol Gyaras procession, which is set to take place on Tuesday. The procession will start from Chowk Bazaar and pass through various landmarks before concluding near Khatlapura Temple. Traffic diversions will be implemented at several key points along the procession route, including Peer Gate, Imambara Chowki, Jumerati Gate, Talaiya Kali Temple, and Khatlapura, to ensure smooth movement and avoid congestion.",
  "summary": "Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): As part of heightened safety preparations for Ganesh idol immersion, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has deployed 174 divers across seven immersion ghats from Tuesday until the conclusion of the ceremonies. The arrangements come against the backdrop of the 2019 Khatlapura Ghat tragedy, in which around eight devotees died during idol immersion, underscoring the need…",
  "key_points": [
    "174 divers deployed at Bhopal ghats for idol immersion safety.",
    "8-hour shifts with 58 divers per shift, including police personnel.",
    "Expected 10-15 tonne increase in idols immersed this year."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}