Archive · 26 Sep 2026
Artificial Ponds Keep Ganesh Idols Out of Natural Lakes
The city made special ponds so Ganesh idols could be immersed without polluting natural lakes.
Many workers, police officers, rescue teams, doctors and firefighters helped manage the crowds.
Cranes lifted large idols into the ponds and removed waste afterward.
Sanitation workers cleaned the areas and collected discarded materials.
Doctors and health workers provided first aid and sent serious cases to hospitals.
Officials expected many idols and visitors at the immersion points.
Some communities used clay idols that could be immersed locally or in rainwater pits.
However, some people still wanted to put plaster-of-Paris idols directly into Hussainsagar, even after police warnings.
Authorities prepared artificial and baby ponds to divert plaster-of-Paris idols from natural water bodies.
Staff from civic, police, fire, rescue, medical and sanitation departments were deployed at immersion points.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation operated 47 immersion points with 280 cranes and about 6,000 sanitation workers.
The Cyberabad Municipal Corporation planned 53 immersion points for about 1.36 lakh idols, including 12 baby ponds.
Despite warnings and a nearby baby pond, some devotees along Hussainsagar still sought to immerse idols directly in the lake.
- Who
- Civic authorities, sanitation workers, police, fire personnel, HYDRAA rescue teams, medical staff and devotees participated in the immersion arrangements.
- What
- The city organized Ganesh idol immersion through artificial ponds, baby ponds, cranes and support teams to reduce immersion in natural water bodies.
- When
- The arrangements were in operation on Friday during the Ganesh idol immersion period.
- Where
- Immersion activities took place across Hyderabad, including Malkam Cheruvu, Durgam Cheruvu and Hussainsagar.
- Why
- Artificial facilities were used to keep plaster-of-Paris idols out of natural lakes, following court directions and pollution-control guidance.
Environmental Compliance
Direct Immersion Preference
Where idols should be immersed
Environmental Compliance
Authorities, court directions and pollution-control guidance favored artificial ponds and biodegradable or natural-material idols to protect natural water bodies.
Direct Immersion Preference
Some devotees along Hussainsagar insisted that their idols had to be immersed directly in the lake, despite police warnings and a nearby baby pond.
Idol materials
Environmental Compliance
Officials promoted clay idols, including through a planned distribution of 50,000 naturally painted clay idols, and recorded whether idols were made of plaster of Paris or mud.
Direct Immersion Preference
Most entries recorded at the Durgam Cheruvu baby pond were for plaster-of-Paris idols, showing that many organizers continued using that material.
- Greater Hyderabad immersion points
- 47 points, supported by 280 cranes and about 6,000 sanitation workers.
- Cyberabad plan
- 53 immersion points, including 33 lakes, 12 baby ponds, six temporary ponds, one portable point and one other pond.
- Expected Cyberabad idols
- Around 1.36 lakh idols.
- Malkam Cheruvu pond
- The baby pond was 25 feet deep; 12 large idols had been immersed by afternoon.
- Malkam Cheruvu projection
- Officials expected up to 60 large idols and a peak crowd of 10,000.
- Clay idol distribution
- The Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation planned to distribute 50,000 clay idols painted in natural colours.
- Medical coverage
- Each shift had one doctor, two auxiliary nurse midwives and two accredited social health activists, with an ambulance at Malkam Cheruvu.