16 September,2026 07:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Bhide stressed that safety should remain the top priority throughout the immersion period. Pic/BMC
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide on Wednesday reviewed preparations for Ganesh idol immersion at Swarajyabhoomi (Chowpatty) in Girgaon and Dadar, directing officials to give priority to devotees' safety, civic facilities and environmental protection, an official statement said.
Bhide visited both immersion sites on September 16 and reviewed the arrangements being made for devotees, Ganesh mandals and citizens during the immersion period.
During the inspection, Bhide directed officials to ensure that observation towers, rafts, nirmalya (floral offerings) collection bins and steel plates laid along immersion routes remained in good condition.
She also instructed officials to provide an adequate number of rafts based on crowd levels and requirements at each immersion site.
Officials were directed to ensure sufficient lighting and drinking water facilities for Lord Ganesha devotees.
Bhide directed the civic administration to deploy an adequate number of trained lifeguards to ensure water safety during immersion.
She also instructed officials to provide separate mobile toilet facilities for men and women so that devotees visiting the immersion sites do not face inconvenience.
The Mumbai civic administration has been asked to ensure close coordination among all departments and agencies so that the immersion process remains smooth, orderly and safe.
Bhide directed officials to ensure that the beaches at Girgaon and Dadar remain clean and free of waste throughout the festival.
She also called for an increase in the number of artificial ponds for the immersion of smaller Ganesh idols.
For larger idols, devotees are to be provided with free crane facilities to assist with immersion.
Officials were also instructed to strengthen public awareness campaigns encouraging citizens to deposit nirmalya, or floral and other offerings, only in designated collection bins rather than dumping them into the sea or surrounding areas.
The BMC Commissioner also directed officials and staff from the concerned departments to receive the necessary training for processing collected nirmalya into compost.
The civic body said its wider arrangements aim to provide prompt civic services to devotees, ensure safe and orderly immersion and encourage environmentally friendly practices during Ganeshotsav 2026.
Bhide instructed all concerned departments to implement the arrangements effectively and ensure that citizens do not face inconvenience during the festival.
She stressed that safety should remain the top priority throughout the immersion period and that all necessary precautions should be taken.
The inspection was attended by Deputy Municipal Commissioners Prashant Gaikwad, Chanda Jadhav and Prashant Sapkale, who is also the Ganeshotsav coordinator, along with D Ward Assistant Commissioner Santosh Salunkhe, G North Ward Assistant Commissioner Yogesh Desai and other civic officials, the statement said.
