The civic life has returned to normal post pandemic, so has the festivity. The city is gearing up for Ganeshotsav celebrations, one of the major festivals of India, and so does the civic body. After lifting of the restrictions on height of the idols of the deities by the State Government, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is making elaborate arrangement to ensure immersion of idols installed during the ten-day Ganeshotsav. As water bodies across city are under major revamp, NMC has banned immersion of idols in those. To ensure hassle-free immersion of idols and to protect degrading water bodies, the civic body is making extra arrangements and taking efforts. This year, Ganeshotsav will be free of the pandemic curbs. Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Radhakrishnan B, has allowed installation of idols of Lord Ganesh above 4 feet height but has banned immersion in city lakes due to ongoing maintenance and restoration works.

 

“For the last two years, we have been living under the threat of Covid-19 and not been able to celebrate festivals with enthusiasm. So, this year, Ganeshotsav will be free of pandemic curbs. The Ganesh mandals should create a vision of social awareness and unity,” Gajendra Mahalle, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Solid Waste Management told The Hitavada. “Though the State Government allowed big Ganesh idols during the festival, NMC is appealing Sarvajanik Mandals to install 4 ft tall idols to avoid polluting water bodies of the city,” said Mahalle. “The registration of Sarvajanik Mandals is on. So far, over 150 registrations have been received by NMC. The number is set to increase in coming days as people are enthusiastic for the festivity,” said the Deputy Commissioner.

 

“Keeping the shortage of manpower in mind, NMC is planning to take help of NGOs of the city to manage artificial tanks at different spots by their own. NMC will provide all support to the NGOs for smooth conducting of idol immersion,” said Mahalle. NGO like Green Vigil Foundation, which is working with NMC from last many years for better organised idol immersion, is ready to provide its help to the civic body this year too. “Like every year, volunteers and members of Green Vigil Foundation will remain present at Visarjan sites to ensure cleanliness and promote eco-friendly immersion during the festival.

 

The volunteers will handle the process of immersion and also sensitise citizens about the pollution-free immersion,” said Kaustav Chatterjee, Founder, Green Vigil Foundation. “NGOs like ours and common man need to come forward and join hands with the civic body and set an example for eco-friendly Ganesh festival and visarjan,” he added. This year, the immersion of big idols will takes place at Kolar river, Kanhan river and Koradi artificial tank. NMC will deploy cranes at all three immersion spots to lift big idols. NMC will also made arrangements for immersion of small idols in these three sites too. Keeping the public response in mind, NMC will install more number of artificial tanks at different places. “Last year we installed 270 tanks, but this year, so far, we gave the order of 310 artificial tanks. After the second day of Ganesh festival the number will increase further,” said Mahalle. To avoid immersion of idols on Janmashtami in city lakes, NMC, for the first time, has installed artificial tanks at Sonegaon lake, Lendra Park, Futala lake, Mhalgi Nagar, Gandhi Sagar, Naik Talao, Sakkardara and Gandhibag areas.