Mumbai: BMC to double artificial lakes this Ganeshotsav

Pic/Soorya Karkera

This year, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will double the number of artificial lakes than last year for the immersion of Ganesh idols. Though Plaster of Paris (PoP) is still not banned, the BMC won't allow immersion of idols less than four feet in height into natural water bodies and hence, around eight to 10 artificial lakes will be made available in each ward.

Around 1.90 lakh Ganesh idols are immersed in natural as well as artificial spots every year. Out of these, around 20,000 are more than four feet high. This year, the BMC expects around 1.50 to 1.70 lakh idols at artificial lakes and hence, the number will be raised to 308. Clay as well as PoP idols will be allowed to be immersed at the same spots.

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"The immersions in artificial lakes will help to dispose of clay afterwards and there will be less pollution in natural sources," said Ramakant Biradar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner and coordinator of the Ganesh festival, which is in the third and fourth weeks of September. The BMC has also provided over 500 tonnes of shadoo clay for making idols. "From next year, we may consider different spots for shadoo clay idols so that recycling will be easier," said Biradar.