Agra. In a bid to shield the Yamuna from the surge of pollutants that typically follows the Ganpati festivities, the Agra Municipal Corporation has organized an alternative immersion plan for this year’s Ganesh idols.

Designated Immersion Zones

The corporation has earmarked four prominent ghats—Hathighat, Kailash Ghat, Balkeshwar Ghat, and Dussehra Ghat—as sites for temporary immersion ponds. Instead of drawing water from the Yamuna, each pond will be filled with fresh water sourced from the Ganga, conveyed to the city via the Palda pipeline.

Compliance with NGT Guidelines

This arrangement aligns with the National Green Tribunal (NGT)’s recent mandate aimed at curbing riverine contamination caused by idol submergence. By directing worshippers to the sanctioned ponds, the municipality hopes to preserve the Yamuna’s ecological balance while still honoring the ritual.

Safety and Supervision Measures

Robust barricades are being installed around each pond to ensure crowd control and prevent accidental entry into the river. Dedicated municipal staff, including senior officials, will be on‑site to guide devotees and oversee the process.

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 throughout the immersion period.

Assistant Municipal Commissioner Gautam emphasized that the temporary ponds are fully compliant with NGT specifications and urged worshippers to limit submergence exclusively to these facilities. A permanent municipal team will remain stationed at each location to monitor activities and ensure a smooth, orderly immersion.