Temporary ponds are protectors of natural water bodies: BMC

Keeping in view the safety of idol immersion and preventing water bodies Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) prepared three temporary ponds for Ganesh Chaturthi season. The temporary ponds were ready before Ganesh Puja (31st August 2022).

As per the instruction of Mayor and Commissioner of BMC it was duly informed to the citizens with the support of social media and mass media also gave coverage for greater awareness. Team BMC guided people not to dip the idols in river bodies and other natural ponds.

It is observed that worshipers followed the guideline and made idol immersion in the temporary ponds at Kuakhai, Tankapani and Daya site temporary ponds. As on date, about 1800 idols of different size have been immersed by the community groups. Facilities like roads, daily cleaning of and lifting garbage periodically have been continuing. About 1000 idols in temporary pond at Kuakhai, 500 at Daya and 300 at Tankapani temporary ponds.

Garbage lifting is in process and 15 trips of garbage have been lifted till date. As the season is still continuing the city authority will wait for another seven days for final disposal of garbage. At last the water of the ponds will be treated and process will be started for Durga Puja season ponds.

However some people are reluctant to use the temporary ponds and in such case the authority is continuing awareness. As an ethical practice this should be a community driven initiative to save our nature. We expect our citizens will come forward to adopt principle of idol immersion, told Mayor Sulochana Das.

Immersion of idols in water bodies like rivers, lakes, ponds, estuaries, open coastal beaches, wells etc., cause concerns in terms of water pollution, air pollution, noise pollution etc. It is therefore important that we celebrate the festival keeping in view the need for environment protection and also prevention and control of pollution