Mumbai collects 2,755 tonnes of Ganesh idol material in 12-day clean-up
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation collected 2,754.85 tonnes of post-immersion idol material during the recently concluded Ganesh festival, with the exercise carried out between September 16 and 27. The civic body said the material was transported in 707 vehicle trips to designated temporary storage facilities.
The highest single-day collection was recorded on Anant Chaturdashi on September 26, when 131 vehicle trips carried 510.92 tonnes of nirmalya, including sacred remnants such as flowers, garlands and food, along with post-immersion idol material.
Among the municipal wards, K/West recorded the highest collection at 314.82 tonnes, followed by S ward at 253.58 tonnes and D ward at 249.43 tonnes. The K/West ward includes Andheri West, Juhu and Versova, while S ward covers Bhandup, Powai, Kanjurmarg, Vikhroli and Nahur. D ward includes Malabar Hill, Grant Road, Tardeo, Girgaon and Cumbala Hill.
The BMC said the exercise was carried out in line with directions of the Bombay High Court and recommendations of a Central Pollution Control Board expert committee to ensure that plaster of Paris-based idol material does not remain permanently in water bodies.
Ward-level teams collected immersed idols and their remains, while clean and covered vehicles were used for transportation. Each vehicle was weighed at weighbridges, and details of the collected material were recorded along with photographs, videos and daily progress reports, the civic body said. According to the BMC, the material has been taken to a designated temporary storage facility in Mulund, where it will undergo scientific and environmentally sustainable reuse, recycling or further processing. The civic body also said mechanical equipment was deployed where required to ensure timely collection of the large quantities of material generated after immersion.
In all, the BMC said 2,754.85 tonnes of post-immersion idol material were collected over 12 days, with the largest volume gathered on Anant Chaturdashi and the waste sent to a temporary facility in Mulund for further processing. - EndsWith PTI inputs
