Vasai-Virar has deployed more than 6,000 municipal and police personnel and prepared 128 artificial immersion ponds for Ganpati visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi, with additional arrangements including six jetties, rescue teams and Ro-Ro services at two locations.
The Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation and the police administration have completed preparations for the immersion of public and household Ganesh idols. The municipal corporation has assigned more than 4,000 personnel, while the police deployment includes over 2,500 officers and staff for the festival’s final immersion day.
The arrangements cover immersion facilities across Vasai and Virar, where processions for large public idols and household idols are expected. The civic body has created 128 artificial ponds and installed 18 mobile tanks for residents who choose alternatives to immersing idols in natural water bodies. Conveyor-belt facilities have also been arranged at two quarry locations.
Six jetties have been prepared for the immersion of larger Ganesh idols. Boats and rafts will be available at these sites, with municipal staff assigned to assist residents. The corporation has introduced Ro-Ro services at the Vasai jetty and the Marambalpada jetty in Virar this year. The service is intended to support the movement and handling of idols during the immersion process.
To help residents identify immersion points, the municipal corporation has created QR codes containing information about the sites. Nirmalya collection pots have been placed at multiple locations to prevent floral offerings and other festival waste from being deposited in lakes and rivers.
The fire brigade will deploy rescue teams at beaches and immersion locations with life jackets, rescue rings, hooks, boats, megaphones and ropes. Experienced lifeguards will also be stationed at the sites. These arrangements are intended to manage risks associated with immersion activity near the sea, jetties, rivers and other water bodies.
The preparations come after Ganeshotsav celebrations began in Vasai-Virar and Mira-Bhayandar on September 14. The ten-day festival will conclude with the immersion of Ganesh idols on Friday. The municipal and police administrations have described the arrangements as part of efforts to ensure that processions and immersion activity proceed without disruption.
The final operation will require coordination between police personnel, municipal workers, fire brigade teams, lifeguards and residents using the designated facilities. The civic body’s QR-code information, artificial ponds, mobile tanks and nirmalya collection points are intended to distribute activity across multiple locations while reducing pressure on natural water bodies.
