Surat: Don’t immerse Ganesha idols in Tapi, thinking that the the ban on immersion in the river is just another diktat issued year after year. Anyone caught violating the ban can land in jail.City police commissioner Satish Sharma has issued a notification that anyone violating the immersion ban can land in jail. Police are preparing to take strict action against those violating the fresh orders not to immerse Lord Ganesha idols in Tapi.The notification was issued based on the orders of high court, National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As per the notification, immersion of Lord Ganesh idol is prohibited at river Tapi. However, at some locations, residents immersed small Ganesh idols in Tapi on Saturday.Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) in coordination with police have cordoned the popular immersion points with metal sheets, but some people are sneaking throug the tiny gaps and immersing the idols in the river. However, most devotees have opted for the articial ponds developed near the immersion points.“A notification has been issued to prohibit the immersion in river and if anyone is caught violating it, the person can be arrested. We are going to strictly implement the high court, NGT and CPCB guidelines,” said Sharma.SMC is developing ponds at various locations near the popular immersion points to facilitate the devotees. Police will also deploy heavy bandobast around the traditional points to ensure implementation of the notification. Since there are no temporary platforms developed at the coventional points, the immersion will not be possible, officials claimed.Over 60,000 Lord Ganesha idols have been installed in the city and 18 artificial ponds are being developed for their immersions. Only five feet or smaller idols can be immersed in the pond while the bigger ones will have to be immersed in sea at Dumas or Hazira. At Hazira, five immersion points have been made to manage the rush, mostly on the last day of Ganesh Chaturthi.

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