Agra. In a bid to safeguard the Yamuna from ritualistic waste, the Agra Municipal Corporation has announced a new plan for this year’s Ganesh immersion. Rather than allowing devotees to plunge idols directly into the river, the corporation has installed four provisional ponds at major ghats across the city.
Where the ponds are located
The designated sites are Hathighat, Kailash Ghat, Balkeshwar Ghat, and Dussehra Ghat. Each basin will be filled with water sourced from the Ganga, conveyed via the Palda pipeline, ensuring that no Yamuna water is used for the ritual.
Why the shift?
The move complies with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives aimed at curbing river pollution caused by idol immersion. By diverting the practice to controlled ponds, the municipality hopes to preserve the ecological health of the Yamuna while still honoring the religious customs of the community.
Safety and supervision measures
To prevent accidents, robust barricades are being erected around each immersion point. Dedicated municipal staff, led by Additional Municipal Commissioner Shishir Kumar and Assistant Municipal Commissioner Ashok Priya Gautam, will be on‑site to guide devotees, manage crowds, and monitor the process.
During a recent inspection of Hathighat, Commissioner Kumar instructed Zonal Sanitary Officer Ashutosh Verma to ensure sufficient personnel are present throughout the ceremony. Gautam reiterated that the temporary ponds have been prepared strictly in line with NGT guidelines and urged worshippers to use only these sanctioned locations.
“Our goal is to balance devotion with environmental responsibility,” said Gautam, adding that a municipal team will remain at each pond until the immersion concludes.
With these arrangements, Agra aims to conduct a safe, orderly, and eco‑friendly Ganesh immersion that respects both tradition and the city’s water resources.
