Andheri, Bhandup, and Girgaon have emerged as the top three civic wards in the collection of post-immersion idols and related material during Ganeshotsav this year, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) transporting 2,754.85 metric tonnes (MT) of material in 707 vehicle trips between September 16 and 27.

Kiran Dighavkar, deputy municipal commissioner, solid waste management, BMC, said that the civic body had transported the material retrieved after idol immersion as part of its post-immersion management exercise. “The largest movement was recorded on September 26, when 510.92 metric tonnes were transported through 131 trips. Among the wards, K West (Andheri) recorded the highest tonnage at 314.82 MT, followed by S (Bhandup) at 253.58 MT and D (Malabar Hill, Grant Road, Girgaon, Cumballa Hill) at 249.43 MT. The operation was undertaken in compliance with the applicable directions of the Hon’ble Bombay HC and the recommendations of the CPCB Expert Committee. These require material deposited in designated artificial immersion ponds to be removed and stored in an environmentally sound manner until it is taken up for regeneration, recycling or reuse,: said Kiran Dighavkar.