Mumbai's Ganesh Visarjan Day 5: More Than 17,000 Idols Submerged in Water, Controversy Surrounding Synthetic Ponds

In the bustling city of Mumbai, the annual Ganeshotsav celebrations reached their climax on the fifth day, with thousands of devotees participating in visarjan processions. The immersions, which began in the afternoon and continued late into the night, saw a total of 17,106 idols being submerged, including 16,816 household Ganpatis, 275 sarvajanik idols, and 15 Hartalika idols.

Amidst the festivities, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) implemented a relaxation this year, allowing the immersion of smaller eco-friendly clay idols in natural water bodies such as the sea, rivers, and lakes. This decision was taken to ease the burden on artificial ponds, which witnessed long queues during earlier immersions. However, this relaxation has sparked controversy.

The Bombay High Court had earlier mandated that idols below six feet must be immersed in artificial ponds, while taller idols could go into natural water bodies. A petitioner in the High Court has served a legal notice to the MPCB, demanding a reversal of the circular, arguing it violates the Court's earlier directive.

Despite the controversy, the MPCB's decision seems to have been well-received by many. Authorities urged devotees to use the 288 artificial ponds set up across Mumbai for eco-friendly immersions. PoP (Plaster of Paris) idols under six feet are still mandated to be immersed only in artificial ponds.

Meanwhile, outside the realm of Ganeshotsav, India's economy continues to thrive. The country's GDP is propelling with the fastest-ever 7.8% growth pace. And in international news, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan, causing aftershocks across the region.

As for tech enthusiasts, rumours circulate about the impending launch of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, set for September 9.

Amidst these events, the city of Mumbai continues to celebrate the festive season, with music, dance, and vibrant processions filling the city's streets until midnight. The Awaaz Foundation, however, continues its fight for stricter adherence to pollution control and environmental regulations in Maharashtra, filing a legal petition against the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. The issue remains a topic of ongoing discussion and debate.