Pimple Saudagar residents opt for eco-friendly immersion
Akash Dhanurkar
Pimple Saudagar and Wakad have always set a role model with its development and smart approach towards the urban problems and solutions. The area have again led the race of social awareness by urging the city and the surrounding areas to follow the donation of idols to save the environment. The area corporators, too, have been quite vocal, urging the area residents to donate the idol and shape up the environment and eco-system.
While talking to Pune Pulse, Shatrughan Kate, an area corporator said, “The residents of Pimple Saudagar are requested to visit the immersion area near river bank aside Mahadev Mandir. Citizens are requested to not gather in large numbers, and also do not immerse the idol in river. Take maximum precautions, and try to immerse the idol indoor maybe in a pot or a small tank. We have also arranged a vehicle that is going from one society to other for the immersion purpose. Please reap maximum benefits out of it. Also, I urge them to donate the idols, which will prove to be an attempt to safeguard the environment. Those who wish to donate the idol may visit the riverbank area and donate it at the stall staged with the help of PCMC.”
According to the additional details provided by area Corporator Nana Kate, last year, close to 14,000 idols were donated and the same idols were used for generating funds for the local NGO’s.
Nana Kate while talking to Pulse said, “We have always encouraged eco-friendly utsav. This year, too, we have a stall at the riverbank near Mahadev temple. Saudagar is a smart region and I am sure that people would abide by the restrictions imposed by the government.”
The area corporator, Nirmala Kute, who has time and again proposed her ideas to make the rivers pollution free, said, “We have arranged two water tanks and stalls – one near Mahadev Mandir while the second one near Kunal Icon road. People should definitely celebrate the utsav but by being socially responsible.”
Gurpreet Ahluwalia, area resident from Ganesh Park, while talking to Pune Pulse said, “I think this is the best effort towards saving our environment. People are aware that how any damage to environment backfires our regular lives. Most importantly, I am happy that donation of the idol is growing in numbers. I encourage this practise and welcome such a move.”
Rahul Kalate, while talking to Pune Pulse said, “”The joint efforts by PCMC and the public representatives is purely meant to stop the spread of COVID-19. Environmental benefits cannot be neglected as that is crucial. People should avoid over gathering and making things touch for the corporation. With the help of PCMC, we have set up immersion tanks and donation camps in most of the government schools.”
According to the information given by Nana Kate, uptil now, close to 700 idols have been donated in Pimple Saudagar since Ganesh Chaturthi. The officials suggest that the count is high as compared to last year; opining that there is a growing positive sense of awareness among people towards the environment.
Pune Pulse also reached out to the area corporators of Pimple Saudagar and Wakad to understand the spots of immersion. Below spots are listed by the respective area corporators.
In Pimple Saudagar, one may be able to immerse their idols in the below listed spots.
1) Near Mahadev Mandir. 2) Near Dutta Mandir.
Wakad has multiple spots for the immersion of ganesh idol as listed below.
1) Near Chatrapati Chowk. 2) Pink City road. 3) Near Utkarsh Chowk. 4) Near PCMC School, Wakad. 5) Near Kaspare Wasti, Wakad. 6) Near PCMC School, Pimple Nilakh Road.
