Nirmalya often left strewn along beaches and streets; Nature lovers bothered by scarce use of artificial ponds
Mumbai : Wednesday witnessed many more Ganesh immersions in the city, as Mumbai bade goodbye to idols that are immersed on the seventh day of the festival. A total of 1,609 idols were immersed, of which only 137 were immersed in artificial ponds, 44 were community idols are 1,552 were from homes.
Environmentalists have reiterated time and again that immersions should take place in artificial ponds to reduce sea water pollution. However, over the years there has been little change in this pattern.
The civic body is worried about the disposal of nirmalya after the festivities, even though it has set up several ‘nirmalya kalash’ at different spots.
A senior BMC official commented that nirmalya is most times strewn along the beach or on the sides of the street and the civic body has to appoint a special team of workers and a separate budget to clean the city after the festive season.
Meanwhile, on the last three days of the festival, Additional Municipal commissioner Pallavi Darade will launch a Festive cleanliness program with the help of BMC’s solid waste management department.
This program will be part of a larger 15-day long drive called “Swatch Mumbai, Swatch Bharat Abhiyan”.
No halts at Charni Rd on slow tracks
Mumbai: Devotees who wish to attend the immersion process at Girgaum will have to board a fast local if to alight at Charni Road, which is the nearest station to the chowpatty.
In a move to reduce crowds at the station, WR has decided to not halt slow locals there. However, some fast locals heading to Churchgate will halt at Charni Road.
