Navi Mumbai : On the backdrop of Covid 19, the citizens of Navi Mumbai preferred the 135 artificial immersion sites constructed by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation in all the eight divisional office areas this year and immersed 3225 Sriganesha idols in the artificial lake.
There are 23 traditional main immersion sites in Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation area. However, as a precautionary measure to prevent the outbreak of corona, the Municipal Commissioner Shri. Abhijeet Bangar had instructed to construct artificial lakes in each section in a way that would be convenient for the citizens. Accordingly, the departmental officers had conducted a department-wise survey with the police department and fixed 135 seats. An artificial lake measuring 4 meters x 3 meters was constructed by the engineering department of the corporation in a very short period of time.
In order to make the citizens aware of the location of these artificial lakes, hoardings were erected at the main square, strategic places mentioning the location of the lakes. It was widely publicized on social media. People’s representatives as well as social activists also took the initiative to inform the citizens about the artificial lake and appealed for immersion in the artificial lake. The citizens of Navi Mumbai responded well to all these efforts. This year, out of a total of 6438 Shriganesha idols of one and a half days, more than 50 per cent i.e. 3225 Shriganesha idols were immersed in the artificial lakes in the divisions.
Of these – 347 domestic and 7 public at 15 artificial immersion sites in Belapur division,
In Nerul Division – 348 domestic and 2 public at 27 artificial immersion sites,
In Vashi division – 387 domestic and 11 public at 16 artificial immersion sites,
In Turbhe section – 318 domestic and 20 public at 17 artificial immersion sites,
In Koparkhairane section – 746 domestic and 30 public at 14 artificial immersion sites,
In Ghansoli division – 372 domestic and 18 public at 17 artificial immersion sites,
In Airoli division – 391 domestic and 17 public and 22 artificial immersion sites
In Digha division – 191 domestic and 20 public at 7 artificial immersion sites
Thus, in a total of 135 artificial immersion ponds constructed temporarily, a total of 3225 Sriganesha idols, 3100 domestic and 125 public, were immersed.
Volunteers and security guards along with the staff of the concerned department offices were deployed at all these artificial immersion ponds. Deputy and Assistant Commissioners of both the constituencies of all the departments. The Commissioner was in charge of the immersion system. Despite the increase in the number of immersion sites this year, due to proper planning, the immersion ceremonies at all the 23 main and 135 artificial immersion sites were held in a very orderly manner. Satisfaction was also expressed by the citizens about the immersion site system made available near their homes. Separate urns were kept at all the immersion sites to keep the wet and dry Nirmalya separate. On the next day of immersion, similar suitable arrangements will be made by the corporation at these 135 artificial immersion sites as well as the main 23 immersion sites.
