Thane is preparing to integrate technology into one of its most celebrated traditions, with the municipal corporation announcing plans to launch a mobile application aimed at making this year’s Ganpati immersion process more eco-friendly and better organised. The optional app is designed to guide devotees and public mandals to the nearest immersion sites, while reducing road congestion and promoting sustainable practices.
The move comes as the city gears up for an expanded visarjan network, with 132 designated sites — a nearly 50% rise from last year’s 88. The civic body has already commenced work on 24 artificial ponds, 74 portable tank setups, 15 mobile immersion trucks, nine traditional ghats, and 10 collective immersion centres where idols will be stored before final immersion. Officials emphasised that the expansion follows directives from the Bombay High Court and state guidelines to ensure environmentally responsible celebrations. Once launched, the mobile app will allow residents to register their idol details, including the material used — whether natural clay or plaster of Paris — along with the intended immersion date and area pin code. Based on this information, the platform will recommend the nearest immersion point and generate a QR code, which can be scanned at the site to confirm completion. Officials clarified that participation in the digital system is voluntary, with manual registration still available at immersion locations.
The civic body is also ramping up its mobile immersion facilities. The number of trucks fitted with portable immersion tanks will rise from six last year to fifteen this season. These vehicles will be stationed in densely populated zones to give citizens easier access, reducing the need for long-distance travel on busy immersion days. Municipal officers have stated that the app will serve multiple purposes — assisting devotees in identifying nearby locations, providing real-time updates to administrators, and helping ease traffic pressures during the peak visarjan hours. It is also intended to support broader sustainability goals by encouraging dispersal of immersion activity across more sites, thereby reducing overcrowding and environmental strain on water bodies.
Environmental experts believe that such technology-led measures, combined with increased artificial pond facilities, will not only reduce pollution but also complement the city’s broader climate-conscious policies. They note that cultural traditions can coexist with eco-friendly practices if civic bodies offer convenient, well-structured alternatives. While the app remains optional, the administration hopes it will be widely adopted by environmentally aware citizens keen on reducing their festival’s ecological footprint. As Ganeshotsav draws near, Thane’s efforts signal a shift towards blending tradition with innovation — setting a precedent for other cities looking to balance cultural fervour with sustainability.
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