Municipal corpns clear 24 tonnes of idol debris

Hyderabad: With clearing of idol debris and puja material from the city’s lakes and water bodies, the tri-municipal corporations collected over 24 tonnes of waste following the immersion of Ganesh idols. The authorities directed officials to take up measures to improve sanitation, water quality, and environmental upkeep at lakes across the city.

After 11-day Ganesh festivities, the major task for the civic body was to collect the waste and retrieve water bodies located across the city. The waste included garlands, puja material, decorative items, coloured paper, broken coconuts and other discarded material.

The waste collected across the three municipal corporations – the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) collected 11.5 tonnes, Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) collected six tonnes and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMC) collected 6.5 tonnes.

After the immersions, the cleanup operations were taken up in the lakes across all municipal corporations. The cleaning involves segregating puja materials and other debris from the lakes.

The GHMC deployed 136 Ganesh Action Teams and around 6,000 sanitation workers to manage waste generated during the processions. Another 770 workers were deployed at immersion points to clear waste and maintain sanitation. In the CMC and MMC limits, special teams were deployed for sanitation, waste management and other civic services during the immersion period. Separate arrangements were also made to collect flower waste at designated immersion points.

The HMDA also deployed floating trash collectors and an amphibious excavator to remove waste from Tank Bund. The immersion of thousands of Ganesh idols generates different types of waste, including structural materials, decorative components and ritual offerings left by devotees.

Large idols often contain heavy iron rods, metal pipes and steel wires used as internal support structures. Wooden planks, plywood bases and bamboo sticks are also used to construct backdrops, platforms and other parts of the idols. Natural coconut husk fibres may be wrapped around wooden frames to shape the idols before their outer layers are applied. Satin and synthetic fabrics are also used as decorative materials. “Waste removal began on Sunday and may take at least two to three days after more than one lakh Ganesh idols were immersed,” said a HMDA official.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MM Farooqui

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M M Farooqui, senior correspondent with interest in writing a range of stories about Hyderabad and its Purana Sheher. An experienced journalist specializing in departments including Heritage, Transport, Municipal Corporation, Majlis among others with over six years of writing expertise. When not immersed in writing, he can be found spending time in eating Hyderabadi cuisines, Mughlai, Chinese, exploring new things and listening to songs and qawwalis. Farooqui is an accomplished writer with a passion for writing with six years of experience, he has honed his craft in various genres. Farooqui’s diverse family history and embracing cultures have enriched his writing with unique perspectives.

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