The Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation will establish 128 artificial lakes across nine wards for this year’s Ganeshotsav, alongside 18 mobile immersion tanks, as part of a citywide plan to promote safer and more environmentally friendly idol immersion.
The civic administration has also planned facilities for idol transport, mandap construction, lighting and security at immersion locations. The arrangements are intended to provide residents with alternatives to immersing idols directly in natural water bodies.
According to the municipal plan, each of the nine wards will receive two mobile immersion tanks, taking the total to 18. The corporation has increased the number of artificial lakes after receiving strong public participation in the previous year’s arrangements.
Last year, 79 percent of all idol immersions in Vasai-Virar took place in artificial lakes, according to the report. The civic body is seeking to maintain that pattern during this year’s festival by expanding the number of designated facilities across the city.
The corporation has also arranged special vehicles to transport idols immersed in the artificial lakes for their final disposal at closed stone quarry sites. The plan includes dedicated idol collection centres, medical assistance rooms, separate spaces for rituals, trained lifeguards, lighting and mandap facilities at immersion points.
For larger Ganesh idols, facilities will be provided at several jetties and quarry locations. These include Marambalpada, Killa Bandar, Naigaon, Pachubandar, Naringi, the Versova Creek jetty and Paanju, as well as the Madhuban and Valaip pada quarry sites identified in the municipal arrangements.
The preparations follow the corporation’s focus over the past two to three years on conducting Ganeshotsav in an environmentally responsible manner. The civic administration’s plan covers both artificial immersion facilities and arrangements at larger immersion locations, with safety and basic public services included at the designated sites.
The corporation is expected to operate the artificial lakes, mobile tanks and supporting facilities during the festival period. The report does not specify the exact ward-wise locations, operating hours or the schedule for the immersion arrangements.
