IE : BMC to follow Thane model on artificial lakes for Ganpati immersion : Sept 4, 2007
BMC to follow Thane model on artificial lakes for Ganpati immersion
SAYLI UDAS-MANKIKAR
MUMBAI, SEPTEMBER 3
In an eco-friendly initiative, the BMC has decided to set up small
artificial lakes at different locations in the city and the suburbs for
immersion of Ganpati idols. Thane started the practice four years ago.
“It is for the fist time that we have officially taken up this experiment.
The idea is to save the environment and reduce road traffic,” explained BMC
Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Hawkers) Dr SS Kudalkar. Kudalkar is in
charge of the project being funded from Rs 21akh to Rs 31akh from the
Ganpati funds set aside for the purpose.
A circular explaining the initiative has been issued to 24 ward offices on
Monday. It will be passed on to corporators, citizen groups, Ganpati mandals
and NGOs.
The success of this initiative proposed by the BMC will be based on the
initiative and assurance from the public who form a part of the
festivities – mainly owners of smaller Ganesh idols, a maximum of 2.5 feet in height. “We want groups who will assure us about 100-150 immersions following which we will
set up the lakes in the area. We will take care of the entire procedure
except providing the manpower to carry out immersions,” said Kudalkar.
According to the BMC circular, mandals or groups or even corporators,
especially from areas not near to any water body, can approach their ward
officer and place a request. A BMC team will then identify an open area and
create a lake. The lakes will be 10 feet deep and cover a minimum of 300
square feet area. The water will be filled by the BMC and the required
lighting will also be provided.
“After the immersions, we will either wait for the water to evaporate or
pump it out. The remains of the idols will be either handed over to the
idol-makers or immersed in bigger water sources, according to the material
used,” said Kudalkar.
In Thane, the initiative is not based on assurance but now a popular mandate
of devotees fully manned by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC). The
initiative – begun by ex-civic chief Sanjay Sethi in 2004 -was meant to
reduce pollution and support the bio-remediation of Thane’s lakes.
“Initially the response was low and we even had criticism. But now it’s a
huge success with 25,000 small idols immersed in these lakes last year,”
said KD Lala, City Engineer, TMC. This year, Thane will have four
artificial lakes of 750 square feet each and 7-10 feet deep set up in four
different areas – two at Railadevi, one at Upvan and one at Ambeghosali.
“The Thane success story is very encouraging and we are hoping to do well
too. But for this year – as a pilot project – we will be happy even if we
are able to set up one artificial lake in each of the 24 wards with 100-150
immersions in each lake,” said Kudalkar.
Publication : IE; Section : National Network; Pg : 2; Date : 4/9/07