Overview
- The BMC completed large-scale immersion preparations before the festival and has built 383 artificial ponds at 278 locations and readied 67 authorised natural sites for larger idols.
- Civic officials reported heavy, time-staggered immersion totals with 61,640 idols immersed during the Sept 15–16 one-and-a-half-day phase and 32,345 immersions recorded up to midnight on the fifth day.
- The Bombay High Court’s Aug. 20 directive is in force: idols up to six feet must use artificial ponds while taller idols may go only to the authorised natural sites.
- The city deployed about 25,000 personnel plus equipment including rafts, cranes, lifeguards, ambulances, control rooms and observation towers to manage crowds and respond to emergencies.
- Environmental steps include free distribution of 940 tonnes of shadu clay and 25,400 litres of eco paint, first-responder training for mandal volunteers, and a One Ganpati, One Tree tree‑planting pledge.