City immerses fewer Ganeshas

The city has immersed fewer Ganpati idols this year — 4,477 idols fewer — to last year, says the civic body.

The city has immersed fewer Ganpati idols this year — 4,477 idols fewer — to last year, says the civic body.

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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s data shows that in 2010, 1.91 lakh Ganesh idols were immersed, including both sarvajanik (public) and domestic idols. This year, the number has gone down to 1.86 lakh.

“This year’s number is against the trend of the past few years. Every year the number of Ganesh idols immersed have been rising at least by a few thousands,” said a BMC official.

Civic officials cited a number of reasons for the dip. “Busy schedules might prevent people from bringing idols at home and they choose to get involved in sarvajanik celebrations. Also, many old buildings that have sarvajanik Ganpati idols are going for redevelopment and all residents may not have relocated to one place to celebrate together,” the official said. “Migration could be another reason as unaffordable housing lead people from the city to migrate to the extended suburbs.”

However, Naresh Dahibavkar, president of Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshostav Samanvay Samiti, is convinced of some confusion over the figures. “On the fifth day of immersion, the number was high. We won’t believe the BMC figures,” he said.

This year, Ganesh idols were immersed at 84 spots across the city, including the sea and natural and artificial ponds. The BMC’s solid waste management department collected more than 250 metric tonnes of offerings (nirmalya), comprising flowers, garlands, coconuts and accessories for the deity. “We will make compost from the nirmalya and use it in the civic gardens. We are getting good response from private parties,” said Bhalchandra Patil, chief engineer, solid waste management department.