Mumbai: BMC gears up for visarjan, urges people to follow rules

A family on its way for Gauri-Ganesh visarjan at Sion talao. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

As the city gears up to bid adieu to Lord Ganesh tomorrow, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has once again appealed to people to follow all COVID-19 protocols. Further, it has also made several arrangements to ensure that there is no crowding at visarjan spots and the day passes off smoothly. Civic officials said that everyone should follow the Covid rules laid down by the government.

As part of the arrangements made by the civic body, about 25,000 workers and officials would be present across the 24 wards of the city to ensure rules are followed. Providing more information in this regard, Deputy Commissioner Harshad Kale said that this year too, the BMC had set up a large number of artificial ponds to avoid crowds. As per data, these ponds have been constructed at 173 places, and idol collection centres and mobile immersion sites will also be functional at various places. Apart from this, there are 73 natural immersion spots as well.

Civic data further reveals that 715 lifeguards have been appointed at natural and artificial immersion sites. About 587 steel plates have been set up at the natural sites so that vehicles coming for immersions can be temporarily removed. Besides, 338 Nirmalya Kalash, 182 Nirmalya vehicles, 185 control rooms, 144 first aid centres, 39 ambulances etc. have also been arranged. Apart from this, 145 reception rooms, 84 temporary toilets, 3,707 flood lights, 116 search lights, 48 observation towers, 36 motor boats and 30 German rafts have been provided at natural immersion sites. Also, electrical arrangements have been made as per requirements.

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