With Durga puja celebrations coming to an end on October 8, the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has made special arrangements for the immersion of idols at various water bodies across the Capital city.

The civic body has made ‘jalkunds’- small compartments demarcated by nets in a portion of the water body. The unique move is aimed to prevent dirtying of the entire premises and also easing the cleaning work post celebrations.

The increasing pollution levels of water bodies and festivals like Durga Puja adding to the existing filth is what has prompted RMC to take this step.  “An assortment of around 10 big and small lakes has been identified across Ranchi where this jalkund has been made. Devotees can immerse idols, puja paraphernalia, flowers and plastic in the defined areas. Keeping in mind the upcoming festival of Chhath which is mostly performed on the banks of lakes and rivers, this step has been taken to prevent dirtying of the entire lake,” said RMC City Manager, Sandeep Kumar.

Depending on the size of the water bodies, the kund which have been made on the banks are roughly about 20 feet by 10 feet. Bamboo frames and nets have been used to mark the specified areas. “Demarcating an area of the lake will not only prevent the puja samagri from spreading across the entire water body but will also ease the cleaning process which would otherwise take upto 15 to 20 days. The immersions which took place on October 8 have mostly been cleared,” added the official.

Some of the big water bodies where the kund has been made include the Kanke Dam, Dhurwa Dam and the Bada Talab. The smaller ones across the City include Chadri pond, Batam pond and Argora pond among others.

Kumar further stated that since most of the immersions take place at the Bada Talab, two separate areas have been made here- a bigger one for idol immersion and another smaller one for worship material. Similar arrangements have been made at Kanke Dam and Dhurwa Dam also.