Ganeshotsav 2025: BMC To Install More Than 250 Artificial Ponds For Ganpati Visarjan

This Ganpati festival, the BMC will install at least 50 more artificial ponds for eco-friendly Ganpati visarjan compared to last year. In 2024, 204 artificial ponds were installed across the city, while this year it will be more than 250. 

Court Mandate on POP Idol Immersion

This follows the Bombay High court directives of mandatory immersion of Plaster of Paris (POP) idols which are less than six feet height into artificial ponds. The larger idols are allowed to be immersed in nature water bodies (sea, lakes, rivers). The directives are issued to ensure enviornment-friendly festival celebrations as much as possible.

BMC to Finalise Pond Numbers and Sizes Soon

"The exact number of artificial ponds to be installed is not finalised as the requirement by every ward is awaited. However, it will be more 250. This year, the percentage of idols immersion in artificial ponds will be more as the smaller POP immersion in artificial ponds is mandated," deputy municipal commissioner, Prashant Sapkale said.

Scientific Disposal of POP Idol Remains

Installation of all artificial ponds will be completed before Ganesh Chaturthi - which is on August 27, when the 10-day lond Ganpati festival begins. Officials say that they will see if the ponds will be bigger this year to ensure the more number of idols are immersed. The BMC is also training the volunteers of various Ganpati mandals to ensure eco-friendly visarjan as well as disaster management training in case of any emergency situation.

Meanwhile, following Bombay High court orders to ensure the remaining materials of POP idols are removed and scientifically disposed, the BMC has decided to transport all remains of the POP idols after immersion to its construction and demolition recycling plant located in Shilphata, Thane district.

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Expert Committee to Decide Recycling Methodology

However, it has not finalised the methodology for science disposal/recycling, but the process is expected to be finalised in next 10 to 15 days. "The state is appointing an expert committee and BMC is also consulting experts on its own. This will be first time that we will remove all remaining materials of the POP idols, from artificial ponds and natural water bodies both, and take to our recycling plant. The methodology on disposal/recycling will be decided with the guidance from the experts, before the festival starts," said deputy municipal commissioner, Kiran Dighavkar.