Cuttack to add three temporary ponds for Ganesh idol immersion

The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) will create three additional temporary ponds at Jobra, Mata Matha and Netaji Nagar to facilitate the smooth immersion of Lord Ganesh idols this year.
Ganesh Puja will be celebrated on September 14 at hundreds of pandals across Cuttack. Idol immersion will take place in phases on four Sundays—September 20, September 27, October 4 and October 11.

CMC Mayor Subhash Singh said 10 temporary immersion ponds were earlier being prepared along the beds of the Mahanadi and Kathajodi rivers. Three more ponds have now been planned to ensure better management of the immersion process.
The Commissionerate Police has also finalised several guidelines after a preparatory meeting attended by police officials, puja committee members, peace committee representatives and political party representatives.
Police have adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards forced collection of donations and warned organisers to follow all prescribed rules. During immersion processions, each puja committee will be allowed a maximum of four trolleys and six sound boxes, with the sound level restricted to 65 decibels.

Authorities have also prohibited the use of distorted or deformed Ganesh idols. Organisers using such idols will not be granted permission for the puja.