Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has appointed a workforce of 12,000 cleanliness workers to maintain cleanliness along the primary Ganesh Immersion procession routes.
The cleaning initiative will begin on Tuesday (September 17) morning and will continue non-stop until the procession ends on Wednesday (September 18).
The Ganesh festival attracts large crowds, and with them comes an increase in waste, including empty water bottles, food wrappers, and wet garbage.
Many citizens discard this waste carelessly, leading to heaps of garbage around the city during the festival. In response, the PMC has developed a multi-phase cleanup plan for the immersion procession, ensuring that the streets are cleaned at regular intervals.
Mobile cleaning teams have also been deployed to manage waste in densely crowded areas. These teams have been equipped with the necessary tools, including uniforms, hand gloves, garbage bags, and push carts. The cleaning efforts will be carried out continuously throughout the day and night, ensuring that the city stays clean during the celebrations.
Special Cleanup Teams at River Ghats and Artificial Tanks
This year too, the immersion of Ganesh idols in the river has been strictly prohibited to protect the environment. Barricades have been set up along the roads leading to the riverbanks to prevent access.
To facilitate eco-friendly idol immersions, the PMC has arranged 42 permanent tanks and 286 artificial immersion tanks around the city. Approximately 3,500 cleanliness workers will be deployed at these locations, working in three shifts every eight hours.
In addition to cleaning, these workers will encourage citizens to adopt environmentally friendly practices during the festival.
Scientific Disposal of Idols at Wagholi
The idols immersed in PMC-designated tanks will be transported to a quarry in Wagholi, where they will be scientifically disposed of as per guidelines set by the district administration.
Special police personnel will be assigned to monitor and supervise the transportation and disposal process. Any idols donated for charity will be handed over to volunteer organizations for further use.
