30 September,2026 05:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The BMC had made artificial ponds available at multiple locations, including open plots, gardens and grounds, so that devotees could access immersion facilities closer to their homes. PIC/BMC
As many as 97.27 per cent of Ganesh idols immersed in Mumbai this year were taken to artificial ponds, according to figures released by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), with artificial ponds accounting for the vast majority of immersions during Ganeshotsav.
A total of 1,97,382 Ganesh idols were immersed across the Brihanmumbai area during the festival. Of these, 1,92,237 idols measuring up to six feet were immersed in 383 artificial ponds set up across the city.
The figure includes 1,22,391 plaster of Paris (PoP) idols and 69,846 idols made of shadu clay. The BMC had made artificial ponds available at multiple locations, including open plots, gardens and grounds, so that devotees could access immersion facilities closer to their homes.
The remaining 5,382 idols, all measuring more than six feet, were immersed at 67 natural immersion sites. These included 5,259 PoP idols and 123 shadu clay idols.
The figures come against the backdrop of the BMC's efforts to encourage devotees to avoid immersing idols in natural water bodies. The civic administration had appealed to citizens and Ganesh mandals to use artificial ponds, citing the need to reduce the environmental impact of idol immersion.
The BMC said the availability of immersion facilities across neighbourhoods, coupled with awareness campaigns, also helped ease crowds at several beaches and other traditional immersion points.
The artificial ponds were primarily provided for idols up to six feet in height, while larger idols were directed towards designated natural immersion sites. The civic body also undertook measures before the festival to encourage idol makers to use environmentally friendly materials.
More than 940 metric tonnes of shadu (clay) were provided free of cost to idol makers, while 25,400 litres of eco-friendly paint were also made available for the production of Ganesh idols.
The civic administration deployed more than 25,000 officers and employees during the immersion process, along with the necessary machinery and other arrangements at immersion sites.
The arrangements were made under the guidance of Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi, and as per the directions of BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr Avinash Dhakane led the arrangements, while Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone 2) and Ganeshotsav coordinator Prashant Sapkale supervised the operations.
The BMC said the arrangements were made in line with directions of the Bombay High Court, instructions from the Maharashtra government, and guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board.
Besides artificial ponds, the arrangements included security at immersion sites, nirmalya collection, and collection and management of idol material after immersion.
The civic body thanked Ganesh devotees and mandals for opting for artificial ponds and supporting its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of idol immersion during the festival.
