The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has made it mandatory for mandals to provide information on immersion spots in order to obtain appropriate licences in order to celebrate eco-friendly Ganesh utsav.
The NMC has also prohibited the immersion of Ganesh idols in city lakes. According to a government decree, the administration has decided not to charge mandals any fees this year. A single window method for obtaining necessary permissions has been implemented at the zonal level.
NMC will construct 400 artificial ponds for the immersion of idols up to four feet tall. According to Radhakrishnan B, municipal commissioner, 270 artificial tanks were installed last year. Idols taller than four feet will be immersed in Kanhan River, Kolar River, or other locations outside the city. Nagpur Municipal Corporation will set up a crane and power at these locations.
In order to keep the city’s water bodies clean, the NMC has prohibited the immersion of idols in ten major lakes, including Gandhisagar, Futala, Sakkardara, and Sonegaon.
In 2019 as many as 2.92 lakh idols were immersed in artificial ponds and lakes of the city.
However, in March 2020, the number of idols were less due to Covid pandemic and 1.02 lakh idols were immersed in the city. In 2021, around 1.27 lakh idols were immersed at different locations in the city. The NMC administration esti mates that more than 2.50 lakh idols will be installed in the city this year.