Agra. In a bid to safeguard the Yamuna from the surge of pollutants that typically follows the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, the Agra Municipal Corporation has devised an alternative immersion plan for this year’s Ganesh idols.
Rather than allowing devotees to submerge the idols directly in the river, the corporation has constructed four provisional immersion ponds at the city’s prominent ghats – Hathighat, Kailash Ghat, Balkeshwar Ghat, and Dussehra Ghat. Each pond will be filled with water sourced from the Ganga, delivered via the Palda‑to‑Agra pipeline, ensuring that the Yamuna remains untouched.
The initiative aligns with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines that aim to curb river pollution caused by idol immersion. By providing designated, water‑filled basins, the corporation hopes to balance religious tradition with environmental responsibility.
For added safety, sturdy barricades are being erected around each immersion site. Municipal staff will be on‑hand throughout the ceremony to guide worshippers, manage crowds, and oversee the proper conduct of the rituals.
During a recent inspection of Hathighat, Additional Municipal Commissioner Shishir Kumar, accompanied by Assistant Municipal Commissioner Ashok Priya Gautam, instructed Zonal Sanitary Officer Ashutosh Verma to deploy sufficient personnel at the ghat for the duration of the immersion.
Assistant Municipal Commissioner Ashok Priya Gautam reiterated that the temporary ponds were set up strictly in line with NGT recommendations. He appealed to devotees to use only the sanctioned ponds for immersing Ganesh idols, assuring that a dedicated municipal team will monitor the process to guarantee a safe and orderly conclusion to the festivities.
