Immersions strictly in city’s four artificial ponds only

Vadodara: Ganesha immersions this year in the city will be taking place at four artificial ponds dug in four different zones of the city. The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) will not be making arrangements for immersions at any pond other than the artificial ones.
Ongoing beautification work on ponds in the city had led to immersions taking place in artificial ponds over the years. This year, despite work getting over on most ponds, only four will be available for immersions. This will also ensure that guidelines for idol immersions in pond are adhered to.
A VMC official said that besides the Navlakhi pond, which is the oldest artificial pond prepared for immersions, three other ponds have been readied. These include artificial ponds in Gorwa, Sama and Dabhoi ring road.
“So far, we have not made arrangements for immersions in other ponds in the city. With railings erected in most of the ponds, this will not be possible any more. Idols will not be immersed in any of the natural ponds including the Sursagar,” said a VMC official.
Sources said that devotees who immersed idols on the second, third, fifth and other days of the Ganesha festivities were also asked to use the artificial ponds when they came to other ponds in the city. Police personnel were posted there to ensure immersions did not take place.
There have been no representations by the organisers of pandals in the city insisting on immersions in ponds of their choice. Earlier, they were reluctant to change the pond where they had been immersing idols traditionally. The development at Sursagar pond ensured that the most favoured pond for immersions was not available any more.