All idols of Durga Puja pandals in Berhampur would be immersed in sea at Gopalpur to check pollution of water bodies in this water-scarce city.
This decision was taken by the administration and the police in a meeting chaired by Deputy Inspector General of police Amitabh Thakur. This meeting was attended by Berhampur sub-collector Nikhil Pawan Kalyan and city Superintendent of Police Sarthak Sarangi and other officials. It was felt immersion of idols was a major reason behind severe pollution of ponds and tanks in Berhampur. There are no rivers near Berhampur. Low rainfall this year has also affected the ponds and tanks of the city.
There is also a directive of the Orissa High Court to check pollution of water bodies due to immersion of idols during festive season. Rationalist activists of Humanist and Rationalist Organisation (HRO) of Berhampur had also approached administration requesting measures to check pollution of water bodies because of immersion of idols.
So, administration and police have decided that no idol of any puja pandal would be allowed to be immersed in any water body in Berhampur. All idols of Berhampur and Gopalpur would be immersed in sea at Gopalpur beach resort. On the day of immersion, all puja pandals would take their idols to the open space at old bus stand. From there all idols would be taken together in a large procession to Gopalpur around 12 km away for immersion. At Gopalpur beach, idols would be immersed in sea by large cranes.
The DIG has also requested all puja committees to stick to the tradition and use environment-friendly idols made up of clay and refrain from using idols made of materials harmful for environment.
This year administration and police has checked obstruction of roads due to construction of puja pandals. Officials of fire, electricity, road and building departments would visit all puja pandals to check safety measures. They would certify whether pandals are safe or not.
