Seven Yamuna ghats set for Ganesha idol immersions

A senior Delhi government official said a meeting involving all the government departments concerned was held over three weeks back to make the necessary preparations.

Special arrangements have been made at seven Yamuna ghats — Kudsia, Geeta, Haathi, Shyam, Kalindi Kunj, Mayur Vihar and Geeta Colony ghats for Ganpati immersions — and authorities are expecting heavy rush on Thursday.

An Idol of lord Ganesha iis being immersed in Yamuna at Okhla during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. (HT File Photo)

A senior Delhi government official said a meeting involving all the government departments concerned was held over three weeks back to make the necessary preparations.

“Officials of the irrigation and flood control department, Delhi Police, Delhi Traffic Police, the three municipal corporations, BSES discoms, Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS), Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, fire department and Delhi Jal Board, among others, participated in it,” the official, who wished not to be named, said.

“It was decided to have immersions for two days — Wednesday (September 14) and Thursday (September 15) — to manage it more efficiently. Maximum immersions will take place on Thursday,” the official said.

Police have been asked to deploy sufficient personnel to frisk people.

The beat constables have also been asked to inform Ganesh puja samitis in their jurisdiction about the dos and dont’s, the official said.

All puja material from the immersion sites will be collected by the civic bodies so that these are not dumped there.

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee, in compliance with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order, will ensure that only idols from bio-degradable material and not of plastic/plaster of Paris will be immerses, the official said.