BMC Directed to Build Artificial Immersion Pond at August Kranti Maidan
Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to construct a large artificial immersion pond at August Kranti Maidan in the Malabar Hill Assembly constituency to facilitate the immersion of large Ganesh idols during the upcoming Ganeshotsav festival.
Lodha issued the directions on Tuesday during a coordination meeting with Ganeshotsav mandals from the Malabar Hill constituency held at the BMC's D Ward office at Nana Chowk. Over 70 office-bearers of Ganesh mandals and representatives of coordination committees attended the meeting alongside officials from the BMC, Mumbai Police, Traffic Police, Fire Brigade, BEST, and Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation.
To streamline the approval process, Lodha proposed a single-window system for Ganesh mandals to obtain permissions from the BMC, police, and traffic authorities. Addressing demands by several mandals to immerse idols in the sea or at Banganga—a matter currently pending before the court—Lodha suggested exploring large-scale artificial immersion facilities as an alternative. He specifically instructed the civic body to construct a five-to-six-foot-high pond at August Kranti Maidan and inspect other potential locations for similar setups.
The minister outlined several civic measures for the 10-day festival. He directed the BMC to arrange food and drinking water for devotees visiting Khetwadi and to deploy a garbage-collection vehicle twice a day at Girgaon Chowpatty for the timely collection of Nirmalya. He also called for increasing the number of lifeguards along the seashore, permitting two to three people at the site for Shadu clay idol immersions, and creating a WhatsApp group to update mandals on tide timings.
Road maintenance and safety instructions were also issued, including the immediate repair of potholes along procession routes, trimming of dangerous tree branches, and removal of unnecessary cable wires. Lodha further called on mandals to use their displays and cultural programs to support the 'Drug-Free Mumbai' campaign under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
To address health and infrastructure concerns, the minister instructed the BMC to perform regular spraying in Khetwadi's Lanes 1 to 14 to combat mosquito breeding caused by monsoon waterlogging. In response to complaints of frequent power outages, he directed the BMC and BEST to ensure adequate nighttime power supply and illuminate major junctions across the constituency.
Meanwhile, the BMC's D Ward has already started preparations at Girgaon Chowpatty. Civic officials stated that 1,194 plates will be laid in the sand to prevent vehicles from sinking, while CCTV cameras, a police watchtower, and 13 artificial immersion ponds will be set up at the beach.
