Trees mercilessly pruned to make way for processions in Sutgirani chowk area
“The civic officials said that trees were being cut against their wishes due to political pressure. The city police have also prepared for the immersion day and announced traffic diversions on major procession routes. Stay updated with the latest Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar news.
Like every year, the festival passed so quickly this time too amid the spirit of devotion and spirit,” said Abhishek Ranjangaokar, a youth volunteer with a Ganesh mandal. “Branches were pruned cruelly so that 20- to 50-foot-tall idols carried on trucks and tractors face no obstruction,” Dr Kishor Pathak, an environmentalist, told TOI . Pathak said Ganesh mandals were also disrespecting Lord Ganapati and inviting nature’s wrath by destroying nature. If idols of normal height were used, there would be no obstruction of trees,” Pathak said.
A day before immersion, the atmosphere in the city turned enigmatic, with people feeling emotional but electric. At Ganesh mandals across the city, devotees gathered for the final darshan of Bappa as evening aartis stretched late into the night, and chants of ‘Ganapati Bappa Morya’ echoed louder and distribution of prasad reached its peak. Environmentalists, however, were outraged after roadside trees from Garkheda Sutgirni Chowk to Jawahar Nagar Police Station have been pruned to clear the route for Ganesh immersion processions. He alleged that the cutting was done on the instructions of public representatives. The private contractors cut branches in an unscientific manner despite municipal staff being present. TOI tried contacting Vijay Patil, garden superintendent of the civic body. He, however, could not be reached for comments by the time of going to the press. Download the TOI App.
“There was always a bittersweet mood the day before the farewell to Bappa. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : Ganapati mandals and households have started preparing for immersion day, marking the conclusion of the Ganeshotsav on Friday.