Mumbai, August 20: In view of Ganesh Chaturthi 2023, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to increase the number of artificial lakes to immerse Ganpati idols. The country's richest civic body is likely to double the number of artificial lakes compared to last year for the immersion of Ganesh idols.

While the BMC has not banned Plaster of Paris (PoP) yet, the civic body will not allow immersion of Ganpati idols which are less than four feet tall into natural water bodies. According to a report in Mid-day, the BMC is planning to make eight to 10 artificial lakes available in each of its wards. It must be noted that there are a total of 24 wards in the BMC. 12000-Crore BMC Scam: Civic Unions Threaten To Take Streets Over Maharashtra Govt’s SIT Probe.

The report also stated that nearly 1.90 lakh Ganesh idols are immersed every year in natural and artificial spots. Of the 1.90 lakh Ganpati idols, over 20,000 idols are usually more than four feet in height. The civic body is expecting around 1.50 to 1.70 lakh idols for immersion at artificial lakes this year. In view of this, the BMC will raise the number of artificial lakes to 308 in the city.

The civic body will also allow clay and PoP idols to be immersed in the same spots. Speaking about the festival, Ramakant Biradar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, said, "The immersions in artificial lakes will help to dispose of clay afterwards, and there will be less pollution in natural sources." This year, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on September 19, with the Ganpati visarjan taking place 11 days later on September 28. Mumbai Water Cut Update: BMC Withdraws 10% Water Cut Imposed in City and Suburbs From August 9.

Ahead of the Ganpati festival, the BMC is also said to provide over 500 tonnes of shadoo clay for making Ganesh idols. "From next year, we may consider different spots for shadoo clay idols so that recycling will be easier," Biradar added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 20, 2023 02:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).