Navi Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has made extensive arrangements for the smooth immersion of Ganesh idols on Anant Chaturdashi on September 25. The civic body has appealed to citizens to immerse idols up to six feet in height in artificial ponds as per the High Court guidelines to protect natural water bodies.

NMMC has created 156 artificial immersion ponds across all ward areas, along with 11 natural immersion sites in Navi Mumbai and 14 villages, taking the total number of immersion locations to 189. The arrangements have received a positive response from citizens, with many opting for eco-friendly immersions.

During earlier immersion days, including one-and-a-half-day, five-day, Gauri Visarjan and seven-day immersions, a total of 34,462 Ganesh idols and 2,230 Gauri idols were immersed across the city.

For Anant Chaturdashi, NMMC has strengthened arrangements at all immersion points under the guidance of NMMC Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde. Officials, sanitation workers, volunteers, lifeguards and fire brigade personnel will remain deployed. CCTV surveillance, barricading, medical facilities, drinking water arrangements and power backup systems have been provided at major locations.

Mechanical rafts, cranes and forklifts have been arranged for large idols. A modern mechanical raft has also been deployed at Dharan Lake in Koparkhairane Sector 19 to facilitate quicker immersion of large idols.

Citizens have been urged to dispose of wet and dry nirmalya separately in designated containers instead of immersing it in water. The collected material will be processed at the Turbhe facility.

NMMC Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde appealed to citizens to cooperate and ensure a safe and environmentally responsible immersion ceremony.