The eco-friendly immersion of Durga idols started on Wednesday in Berhampur. The Berhampur Municipal Corporation set up four artificial ponds to reduce water pollution. "We have appealed to puja organizers to immerse idols in the designated ponds," said BeMC commissioner A Sasya Reddy. Police ensured the celebrations remained peaceful throughout.
Berhampur: The eco-friendly immersion of Durga idols started here on Wednesday in the four artificial ponds set up by the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) in different parts of the city.The artificial ponds have been set up at Ambapua, Gosaninuagaon, Meenakhi Nagar and near Binayak Acharya College as per guidelines of the Odisha state pollution control board. The civic body has barricaded the temporary ponds, illuminated the site and deployed cranes to help puja organisers in the easy immersion of idols, said Sanjukta Rai Patra, superintendent engineer, BeMC."We have appealed to puja organizers to immerse idols in the designated ponds and not in any other water body," said BeMC commissioner A Sasya Reddy. The initiative, aimed at reducing water pollution, has received a positive response from puja organisers over the years, added BeMC mayor Sanghamitra Dalei.The district administration has restricted the use of a high-sounding DJ during the immersion procession. The immersion procession was very quiet, said sub-collector, Berhampur, Avinash Kumar.
Around 50 community Durga Pujas are organised by different puja committees in the silk city. Police have made elaborate security arrangements during the nine-day puja. No untoward incident was reported during the celebrations, police sources said.