This year’s Ganesh festival in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad saw a massive shift toward eco-conscious celebrations, with over 8 lakh Ganesh idols collected and immersed in artificial ponds and civic facilities—thanks to the Bombay High Court’s directive to protect our rivers.
No Immersions in Natural Water Bodies
For the first time, not a single idol was immersed in the rivers flowing through the city. Instead, citizens followed the High Court’s order and chose artificial tanks or donation centers. This move helped prevent pollution and preserved the health of our water bodies.
Idol Collection & Immersion Stats
Here’s how the numbers stacked up:
- Total idols immersed in artificial ponds: 6,54,410 (up by 90,000 from last year)
- Idols donated for reuse: 1,78,955 (slightly more than last year’s 1,76,067)
- Steel tank immersions: 3,62,319 (up from 2,82,604 in 2024)
- Concrete tank immersions: 1,13,136 (up from 1,01,281 last year)
- Floral waste collected: 9.23 lakh kg (up from 7.06 lakh kg last year)
PCMC’s River Ghat Collection Effort
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) set up 8 collection centers near river ghats and gathered 1,62,636 idols. The highest collection came from the B divisional office with 39,993 idols.
Out of these: - 29,591 idols were eco-friendly
- 1,33,041 were made of Plaster of Paris
Civic Setup: More Tanks, More Locations
To make immersion easier and safer, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) installed: - 648 steel tanks at 281 locations
- Concrete tanks at 38 locations
After the festival, all idols immersed in tanks were re-immersed in a quarry at Wagholi, ensuring proper disposal without harming the environment.
A Festival That Respects Nature
This year’s Ganesh Chaturthi proved that tradition and sustainability can go hand in hand. With growing awareness and support from citizens, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are setting a great example for eco-friendly celebrations across India.
