Mumbai Ganesh Visarjan 2026: BMC retrieves 2,754.85 MT of post-immersion idol material

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC transported 275485 metric tonnes MT of retrieved idols and other postimmersion material generated during the Ganesh festival between September 16 and 27 using 707 vehicle trips as part of its postimmersion waste management operationThe civic body said the highest quantity was transported on September 26 when 51092 MT of material was moved through 131 vehicle trips Among the civic wards KWest recorded the highest quantity at 31482 MT followed by S Ward with 25358 MT and D Ward with 24943 MTBMC follows court CPCB directionsThe retrieval and transportation operation was carried out in line with directions issued by the Bombay High Court and recommendations of an expert committee of the Central Pollution Control Board CPCBThe guidelines require material deposited in designated artificial immersion ponds to be removed and stored in an environmentally sound manner The material is subsequently required to be taken up for regeneration recycling or reuseTo manage the operation across Mumbai the BMC had put in place a citywide Standard Operating Procedure covering the retrieval transportation documentation and temporary storage of postimmersion materialWardlevel teams were responsible for coordinating the removal of immersed idols and other material from designated locations The civic body also deployed clean and covered vehicles for transportation The weight of material transported in each vehicle was recorded at weighbridges while wardwise data photographs and daily progress reports were maintained as part of the monitoring processPoP idols require timely removalThe civic body noted that idols made from plaster of Paris PoP do not dissolve naturally in the same manner as traditional clay idols When postimmersion material remains in artificial ponds for extended periods or reaches natural water bodies it can affect water quality and interfere with the subsequent use of immersion facilitiesThe material can also be carried out of water bodies and accumulate along beaches and other waterfront areas creating an additional wastemanagement challengeFor this reason the timely retrieval of immersed PoP idols and related material is an important part of postimmersion environmental management particularly after largescale celebrations that generate substantial quantities of material over a short periodMechanical handling used for large volumesThe BMC said the physical condition of idols after immersion also makes retrieval and transportation more difficult PoP idols become wet and fragile after being submerged and can partially disintegrate during retrieval loading transportation and unloadingGiven the volume of material generated during the festival mechanical assistance was used as part of the handling process The retrieved material has been transported to a designated temporary storage facility in Mulund where it is being consolidated pending further processingThe BMC said the stored material will be taken up for scientific recycling and reuse The civic body has also invited expressions of interest to identify suitable technologies that can process the material in accordance with environmental requirementsThe postimmersion operation is part of the civic bodys broader wastemanagement responsibilities following the festival The BMC said its approach seeks to ensure that material recovered from immersion locations is handled and stored systematically while environmental requirements are followedThe civic body said the measures are intended to balance the conduct of religious celebrations with its statutory responsibilities relating to waste management and environmental protection