Nashik Plans Eco-Friendly Ganesh Visarjan with Artificial Ponds

Nashik, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : Nashik is gearing up for the Ganesh Festival, an event that holds significant cultural importance for the city. To enhance the festivities, the Nashik Municipal Corporation has announced over ₹600,000 in prizes for public Ganesh mandals this year. Alongside these incentives, plans for environmental protection, traffic management, and safety are being put in place, reflecting preparations for the upcoming Kumbh Mela.

Mayor Himgauri Aher shared that key decisions were made during a meeting with public Ganesh mandals. The tradition of awarding prizes, which had been paused for the last four years, is being revived. Additionally, awards themed around the Kumbh Mela will be introduced to foster competition among the mandals.

To ensure an eco-friendly immersion process, the municipal corporation is planning to create artificial ponds and immersion tanks. Due to ongoing construction at river ghats and the Ram Kund area, access for mandals and citizens may be challenging. Therefore, alternative arrangements for the immersion of clay idols and larger Ganesh statues will be provided. The municipality will also facilitate the collection of idols and deploy security personnel at immersion sites, with police presence at sensitive locations.

Traffic control measures will include barricading, alternative route maps, and directional signage. Mandals will be informed about designated immersion locations based on their community ties. The mayor emphasized the importance of adhering to noise pollution regulations for sound systems and DJs during the festival.

With a growing number of vehicles entering Nashik each month, the city is facing increasing pressure on its roads. The mayor noted that the rise in two-wheeler registrations, driven by the city’s educational institutions, necessitates the development of alternative routes. Plans have been approved for a new road parallel to the Right Bank Canal, covering approximately 5 kilometers, out of a proposed 7.5 kilometers.

To improve connectivity in less developed areas of Nashik, a project focusing on the Left Bank Canal is also in the works. Based on feedback from farmers and local residents, the project aims to enhance connectivity between ring roads, modeled after the Sabarmati Riverfront development. This initiative will focus on improving city aesthetics and green spaces.

Aher highlighted that mobility and a comprehensive mobility plan are central to Nashik’s development strategy. The metro project will strengthen the road network, with plans for developing routes like the Wadala-Pathardi Road. Efforts are underway to transform Nashik into a beautiful, green city with better connectivity. The municipal corporation, administration, and elected representatives are working in coordination, from Ganesh festival preparations to broader plans for the Kumbh Mela.

The mayor urged Nashik’s citizens to celebrate the festival in an environmentally friendly manner and to contribute their suggestions for the city’s development. Aher emphasized that citizen participation is crucial in this journey towards Nashik’s progress.