Mumbai’s Pond Shortage Impacts Ganesh Idol Immersions

Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is grappling with a persistent shortfall in artificial ponds for the immersion of Ganesh idols, a challenge exacerbated by limited land availability. Despite efforts to expand the number of these environmentally friendly immersion sites, the BMC has once again fallen short of its targets.

Last year, the BMC aimed to establish 300 artificial ponds but managed to complete only 194, hindered by spatial constraints across the city. The concept of artificial ponds, introduced in 2008, initially involved creating one or two ponds per ward. By 2019, the number had risen to 32, and the pandemic years saw a significant increase, with a five-fold rise in artificial ponds due to heightened demand for safe and eco-friendly immersion options. During 2020 and 2021, immersion in these ponds surged from under 20% to over 50%, reflecting their growing popularity.

Approximately 2.06 lakh Ganesh idols were immersed, up from 1.93 lakh in 2022, with 76,000 idols placed in artificial ponds. Despite this increased utilisation, the BMC has struggled to meet the rising demand, partly due to the high cost and logistical challenges associated with creating these ponds. Each artificial pond costs around Rs 5 lakh, encompassing excavation and setup expenses. Challenges also stem from land availability and regulatory hurdles. According to officials from the Akhil Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mahasangh, land and technical constraints impede the BMC’s ability to dig and maintain these ponds.

Authorities, including the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), have expressed concerns about the proper filling of excavated areas post-immersion. This year, the BMC has set a goal of creating over 200 artificial ponds. To facilitate better access, the corporation will utilise Google Maps to list pond locations and deploy QR codes at pandals for easy identification. Deputy Municipal Commissioner and Ganeshotsav Coordinator confirmed that pond locations will be decided at the ward level to streamline access for devotees.