Surat: For the first time in Diamond City’s history, immersion of Ganesha idols has been completely banned in River Tapi. City police commissioner and Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) announced the ban on Saturday so as to implement the directives of National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). A petitioner had recently approached the Gujarat high court seeking implementation of the directives issued in 2015, a senior official said.Thus, Surat becomes first city in the state to announce a ban on immersions of idols in a river or a water body of sweet water, which plays an important role in its ecosystem. Idols would have to be immersed in artificial ponds and sea only.Last year, around 60,000 idols of Lord Ganesha were installed in the city and the number is likely to be same this year too, officials said. There is not much water in the river and Ukai reservoir due to insufficient rainfall in their catchment areas.City police commissioner Satish Sharma told TOI, “As per the directives, immersions of idols will not be allowed in River Tapi to protect it from pollution and its aquatic life. This year, the idols up to five feet height should be immersed only in the artificial ponds. The idols larger than five feet in height must be immersed in the sea from Dumas and Hazira .”Five immersion platforms are being developed at Hazira to tackle rush. Further, SMC is exploring possibility of developing ponds near ovaras, traditional immersion points, on the riverbank.“SMC had developed 11 ponds last year and for this year, we are yet to finalize the figure. We plan to develop maximum number of ponds near the ovaras to facilitate devotees. As per the directives, no idols made of plaster of Paris (POP) or synthetic paints should contaminate fresh water bodies,” municipal commissioner M Thennarasan told TOI.Police have sought support from organizers of pandals and citizens in the implementation of fresh orders. SMC and police officials have started making alternative arrangements for immersion of Ganesha idols on September 23. Police have started meeting organizers to convince them to immerse the idols in nearby ponds.As per the 2017 record, around 30,000 idols were immersed in 11 ponds that had capacity for 57,000 idols. Idols bigger than five feet were being immersed in Tapi from different ovaras despite prohibitory orders in the past few years. “This year, a complete ban on immersions of idols will be ensured in the river. We have started encouraging organizers to install smaller idols. Navdi Ovara will be completely closed as there is no space for artificial ponds there,” Sharma added.Water is available in weir-cum-causeway, but immersions of idols will not allowed there since its water is used for drinking.

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