Berhampur: With BeMC not allowing immersion of Ganesh idols in local ponds, hundreds of idols are lying on the banks of different water sources in Berhampur of Odisha’s Ganjam district.
In order to prevent pollution of rivers, ponds and other water bodies, the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) had handed over supervision charge of all local ponds to the Self Help Groups (SHG). The SHGs are keeping a strict vigil at the water sources and not allowing anybody to immerse the idols there.
As a result, hundreds of Ganesh idols are lying on the banks of the ponds at Bijipur, Gosaninuagaon, Gate Bazar, Ankuli and Kamapalli in the city.
The BeMC has created 3 artificial ponds at Agula Bandha in Gosaninuagaon, Andhapasara Road near the Mango Market and First Gate near the Burial Ghat covered with earthen bunds and removable synthetic liners to facilitate immersion of the idols.
Despite the artificial ponds, the people, who performed Ganesh puja at their homes, preferred local ponds to immerse the idols for their convenience. But the SHG members keeping a watch did not allow anybody to immerse the idol. Rather, they suggested them to wash the idols with the pond water and take those back to their houses.
Due to opposition from the SHGs, many went to Gopalpur sea for the immersion. But a large number of people left small size Ganesh idols on the banks of the ponds. The BeMC sanitation staff will dispose those.
However, the organisers of community puja, who obtained permission from the authorities for installation of Ganesh Puja on their pandals, are scheduled to immerse their idols in the artificial ponds on the 3rd, 5th or the 9th day of the puja, sources said.
