Alandi tightens curbs on Ganesh idol immersion in Indrayani river
Pune, 16th September 2026: The Alandi Municipal Council has prohibited the direct immersion of Ganesh idols in the Indrayani river to prevent water pollution and preserve the sanctity of the river, a practice that has been in place since 2017-18.
To ensure strict implementation of the decision during the ongoing Ganesh festival, the civic body has set up idol collection centres and artificial immersion tanks at six locations across the town. Barricades have also been installed on major roads leading to the river to prevent devotees from directly immersing idols in the river.
The six idol collection centres have been established near Indrayani Ghat at Vaitageshwar Temple, the river ghat at Zhadibazaar, Y Junction, Municipal Council Chowk, Kendre Maharaj Math and Siddhabet. A team of 74 personnel, including 11 officers and 63 employees, has been deployed to manage the arrangements.
The collection centres have been equipped with LED lights, tables, chairs and microphone and speaker systems to facilitate communication with devotees.
As part of the Swachh Bharat and Majhi Vasundhara campaigns, the civic body is also conducting awareness and cleanliness drives. A separate facility has been arranged for collecting nirmalya, which will be disposed of scientifically.
According to the civic body, 92 Ganesh idols were collected at the centres on Tuesday (September 15), reflecting the response from citizens.
Alandi Municipal Council chief officer Madhav Khandekar and municipal president Prashant Kunhade appealed to residents, Ganesh mandals and devotees to avoid immersing idols in the Indrayani and instead deposit them at the designated collection centres to help preserve the river’s sanctity.
