Pune: PMC to provide free ammonium bicarbonate to immerse Ganesh idols at home

Shikha Chaurasia

Pune, August 13, 2020: In view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and rising cases in Pune city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued a ban on immersion of Ganesh idols in immersion tanks at public places.

The civic body will provide free ammonium bicarbonate to citizens for dissolving their idols at home. With the help of ammonium bicarbonate idols can be dissolved within 48 hours. PMC has allowed the purchase of 150 metric tonnes of ammonium bicarbonate. This decision was taken keeping in mind the difficulties people face while immersing idols in water especially idols made with Plaster of Paris (POP) which are insoluble in water.

Mayor Murlidhar Mohol and Dr Ravindra Shisve, Joint Commissioner of Pune Police explained that if immersion tanks are made available then even if two to four people step out for Visarjan from each household, then almost 15-20 lakh people will be out on the streets for immersion of idols as approximately six lakh Ganesh idols were immersed in artificial tanks last year.

Hemant Rasane, PMC Standing Committee chairperson appreciated the decision and said that this will promote people to celebrate an eco-friendly festival.

While doing the Visarjan of the Ganesh idol, the idol has to be immersed in a bucket of water and ammonium bicarbonate for 48 hours. Later a white chalky layer of calcium sulphate is formed which is widely used as fertilizer. So, the upper layer of calcium sulphate can be used for gardening at home.