No Idol Immersion In Bhopal Lakes This Festive Season; NGT Order Pushes BMC To Develop Alternate Ghats

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Idol immersion during Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri will no longer be allowed in Bhopal’s iconic Upper and Lower Lakes.

In compliance with directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has banned immersions in both water bodies to prevent pollution.

In response, BMC has begun identifying alternate locations to develop new immersion ghats. On Friday, Mayor Malti Rai, along with municipal officials, inspected the existing Malkhedi ghat, which will now be expanded to accommodate more devotees.

Three new sites have been shortlisted which are at Sanjeev Nagar, Neelbad, and Barkatullah University (BU) campus. The Sanjeev Nagar site is nearly finalised, while discussions are on with BU authorities to approve ghat inside university premises.

The Bairagarh ghat, already developed and located away from the lakes, will continue to be used. Meanwhile, the idea of developing a new ghat at Prempura is also under consideration.

Lakes precious: Mayor Mayor Malti Rai toldmediapersons that as the festivals approach in August and September, BMC aims to have the new ghats ready in time, ensuring a smooth transition to environmentally responsible celebrations.

“Our lakes are precious. This decision is to protect them. We’re ensuring that devotees have clean and well-managed alternatives for idol immersion,” she said. Traditional sites Until last year, idol immersion took place at various traditional locations including Prempura, Khatalapura, Hathaikheda Dam, Arch Bridge, Bairagarh and Malkhedi.