Novel way to keep Hooghly river clean during immersion

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has taken certain measures so that water of river Hooghly, where a large number of Durga idol are being immersed, does not get polluted.
"We are fishing out the idols within a couple of minutes after immersion at the different ghats and take them by trucks to dumping grounds outside the city. We are using 130 trucks today," said Debasish Kumar, Member, Mayor-in-council of KMC.
The idols made of earth and clay, weigh a few tonnes, are decorated with harmful colours and other materials which contaminate the river affecting aquatic animals and humans.
Organisers of community Durga Pujas were not allowed to submerge the idols by themselves. Instead, KMC authorities were immersing them into the Hooghly which were immediately picked up by cranes before they melt and pollute the water of the sacred river, Kumar said.

"We are also not allowing people to throw 'ghots' into the water. Only one person from the puja organisers are allowed to go and dip the 'ghot' into the water which are also taken out immediately," he said.
Flowers and materials used for decorating the idols were taken out before the idols are immersed, the MMIC said adding those materials are also taken to the dumping ground.

Immersions were being held in 16 ghats of Hooghly in the city from Tuesday and, after a one-day break on Wednesday due to Muharram, would continue till tomorrow, the final day.
The KMC removed idols mainly from Babughat, Gwalior Ghat and Judges Ghat. Port Trust too has joined hands for the purpose at a few ghats.

Kumar said the same arrangements were made for tomorrow's immersion programme.
A grand rally of the best community Durga pujas would be held tomorrow along the city's prime Red Road where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would be present.
On Tuesday, around 1500 idols were immersed while close to 2200 were immersed till Thursday evening, a senior official of Kolkata Police said.