Delhi has launched a citywide plan to manage the disposal of religious idols and Ganesh immersion, with 110 collection centres for old and damaged idols and puja material and 81 artificial immersion ponds planned across the capital. The initiative is intended to protect public spaces and water bodies while providing residents with organised alternatives for observing religious traditions.
The Delhi Government said the collection centres are being established at identified locations, including suitable sites such as temples. Devotees will be able to deposit old, damaged or other religious material in designated containers instead of leaving it under trees, in parks, along roadsides or at other public places.
The move addresses a recurring civic challenge in which religious material placed in open areas can affect the cleanliness of public spaces. The government said the designated centres would offer residents a clean, organised and dignified option closer to their homes.
Preparations have also been completed for artificial immersion ponds at 81 locations across Delhi for the Ganesh festival. The designated sites are being prepared with arrangements for security, sanitation, lighting, medical assistance, emergency response, traffic management and environmental protection.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta appealed to devotees to immerse Ganesh idols only at the designated artificial sites and not in the Yamuna or other water bodies. Residents have also been urged not to dispose of flowers, garlands, puja material and other religious items in rivers or water bodies.
The government has asked devotees to give priority to eco-friendly idols and avoid Plaster of Paris, colours containing harmful chemicals and decorative materials that could damage water bodies and the environment. The appeal links the city’s festival-management arrangements to the material choices made before immersion.
Coordination for the immersion arrangements is taking place across Delhi’s 13 revenue districts. The concerned departments are expected to ensure that the sites remain accessible and safe for devotees and that idol remains and other material are removed after immersion through the prescribed process.
The sites will also be cleaned after the festivities, according to the government’s plan. Gupta said the objective was to allow religious traditions to be observed with full devotion while protecting Delhi’s cleanliness and environment. She described public participation as necessary for maintaining a cleaner city and asked residents to use only the designated collection containers and immersion sites.
