PMC to set up 10 artificial ponds for idol immersion

Patna: In an eco-friendly initiative, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to prepare 10 special artificial ponds across various Ganga ghats in the city for idol and puja material immersion.Announcing the move, municipal commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar said, “We want to ensure that citizens enjoy the festivities while also contributing to a cleaner and greener Patna.”The artificial ponds will be set up at Digha ghat and Pati Pul ghat in the Patliputra zone; Kangan ghat, Qila ghat and Damrahi ghat in the Patna City zone; and Bhadra ghat (east), Bhadra ghat (west), Chitragupta pond, and Gaighat in the Azimabad zone.For Lakshmi Puja, additional ponds will be created at Bhadra ghat and Mahavir ghat in the Azimabad zone, and at Digha ghat in the Patliputra zone.Awareness campaigns will be organised to educate citizens and puja committees on the importance of using these designated ponds. The civic body has warned that strict legal action and fines will be imposed on those who immerse idols or puja materials in the Ganga at unauthorised locations.Special awareness teams will also be deployed at the ghats to encourage devotees to use eco-friendly alternatives and help keep the city clean.