10 October,2026 08:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Sarthak Mehta
Ongoing work at Banganga Tank, where barricades have been installed to restrict direct ritual offerings during Pitru Paksha. Pics/Ashish Raje
The historic Banganga Tank at Walkeshwar, Malabar Hill, has been barricaded to prevent devotees from entering its waters for ritual offerings during the final days of Pitru Paksha. The temporary barricading was put up on Thursday night, civic officials said. The move follows the death of large numbers of fish at the tank on October 3, with the fish surfacing after oxygen levels in the water allegedly dropped due to ritual offerings. Ward officials, residents, public representatives and priests who conduct rituals at the tank met on October 5 to discuss the issue and possible measures to prevent further damage to the water body.
"This will be the first time direct immersion in the tank's water has been barred, with the tank barricaded. Devotees will use alternative methods, preserving faith and the environment at the same time," said Sunny Sanap, the area's public representative.
Sanap said residents had been dissatisfied when traditional Ganpati immersion was barred at the site on environmental grounds, but similar restrictions had not been imposed during Pitru Paksha.
Pitru Paksha, the annual fortnight during which Hindus perform Shradh rituals for their ancestors, is being observed from September 26 to October 10 this year.
Ten artificial tanks have been installed for ritual offerings, along with taps for devotees who wish to bathe. Sanap said the arrangements use water from the revered tank. "Six oxygenation pumps are also running. Additional deployments will be made if required," he said.
At the October 5 meeting, the ward officer and area corporator had advised priests to guide devotees in conducting rituals in a way that balances religious practices with environmental concerns.
Resident Bhavesh Thakur welcomed the barricading but said preventing fish deaths had previously required considerable volunteer effort and manpower.
"The barricading is a first, but in the past there have been times when no fish died even without barricading. That required a lot of volunteers and manpower. We residents, welcome the decision," he said.
Santosh Salunkhe, assistant municipal commissioner, BMC's D Ward.
âWe had barricaded the tank on Thursday night in anticipation of high footfall towards the final days of Pitru Paksha. The move is in line with the Honourable High Court's decision to protect water bodies from degradation. Residents' concerns about foul smells and health are also addressed by this move,'
Sunny Sanap, municipal councillor from D-219 ward.
âWe have tried to strike a balance between the long-standing faith of visitors and their rituals, and environmental concerns. Residents are sharing positive feedback on the barricading action. The tank will be off-limits for rituals. At the same time, visitors will have the same tank water in taps and artificial tanks for rituals,'
