NMC has set up artificial immersion ponds across the city for Ganpati idol immersion on Anant Chaturdashi, the final day of Ganeshotsav, promoting an eco-friendly celebration while reducing the environmental impact on natural water bodies.
The number of idols donated to the civic body has more than doubled in the past seven years, rising from about 1.16 lakh in 2018 to a record 2.26 lakh in 2025. Encouraged by the growing participation, the civic administration expects the figure to touch 2.5 lakh this year. The immersion procession of the Nashik Municipal Corporation’s ceremonial and revered Ganesh idol will commence at 10 am on Friday from Vakdi Barav area in old Nashik city, and will be flagged off by Guardian Minister Girish Mahajan.
Officials said the initiative, aimed at reducing water pollution, has received an increasingly positive response from citizens over the years. Dedicated teams will assist devotees, while separate squads have been assigned for the collection of donated idols and nirmalya,” an NMC official said. Officials said the large-scale volunteer deployment, along with artificial immersion ponds and idol donation centres, forms a key part of the civic body’s efforts to minimise environmental impact while ensuring smooth conduct of the city’s largest Ganeshotsav immersion procession.
NMC has appealed to devotees to donate idols at designated civic stalls rather than immerse them in the Godavari river and other natural water bodies. Civic officials attributed the steady rise in donations to sustained awareness campaigns and improved facilities at immersion sites. Under the initiative, idols collected from across the city are later immersed by the municipal corporation at a single location after performing the necessary rituals. “We have made elaborate arrangements at all immersion sites.
Immersion activities will begin from 10am on Friday at designated locations across the city.