The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) collected around 934 metric tonnes of nirmalya during this year’s Ganeshotsav, while another 34 tonnes of waste were cleared from Juhu beach during a post-immersion clean-up drive on Saturday, September 26. Scroll down to know more.
Mumbai Waste Management Department Deploys Containers Post Ganeshotsav
The civic body’s Solid Waste Management Department deployed 613 nirmalya collection containers and 838 vehicles at immersion sites across Mumbai to separately collect flowers and other religious offerings generated during the festival. Following the final Ganesh idol immersions on Anant Chaturdashi on Friday (September 25), the BMC carried out extensive cleaning along immersion routes, roads and public spaces across the city. Around 10,000 additional sanitation workers, along with cleaning machinery, were deployed for the operation.
At Juhu beach, around 34 tonnes of waste were collected during the ‘Sea, Shore, Shine-2026’ clean-up campaign, organised jointly by the Divyaj Foundation, BMC, Mumbai Police and MeghaShrey. School students, volunteers, NGO representatives and citizens participated in the drive.
The BMC is also processing the nirmalya collected during the festival instead of disposing of it as waste. At Juhu beach, the civic body and Dr Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan are segregating flowers from the collected offerings. The flowers will be processed into incense sticks and other usable products, according to the civic body.
Post-Immersion Is Linked To The BMC’s ‘One Ganpati, One Tree’ Initiative
According to reports by The Hindu, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide visited the collection and processing operation on Saturday. Bhide said Mumbai’s coastline is an important natural asset and urged citizens to avoid dumping plastic and other waste on beaches and public spaces.
The post-immersion efforts are also linked to the BMC’s ‘One Ganpati, One Tree’ initiative, under which the civic body plans to plant as many trees as the number of Ganesh idols immersed in Mumbai this year. The initiative aims to connect the festival with long-term tree plantation and conservation.
As part of the initiative, Mayor Ritu Tawde planted tulsi and sunflower saplings at the mayor’s residence in Byculla using clay and water left after immersing a shadu-clay Ganesh idol. She urged residents, housing societies and Ganesh mandals to reuse clay from eco-friendly idols for planting saplings.
Also Read: Ganeshotsav 2026: From Lalbaugcha Raja To GSB, 10 Mumbai Ganesh Pandals You Can’t Miss
The Juhu clean-up was also attended by Divyaj Foundation founder Amruta Fadnavis, actor Ajay Devgn, State Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, MLAs Amit Satam and Ram Kadam, and other civic officials and volunteers.
Cover Image Courtesy: Pexels/ Vishal Panchal
FAQs
Where is Ganesh Visarjan in Mumbai?
Ganesh Visarjan in Mumbai takes place at several major coastal beaches, lakes, and artificial ponds across the city, with Girgaon Chowpatty serving as the most iconic and largest immersion site.
Why did Lokmanya Tilak start Ganeshotsav?
Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak transformed Ganesh Chaturthi from a private household ritual into a grand public festival (Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav) in 1893 to unite Indians against British colonial rule and bridge social divides.
Is Ganpati 10 days or 11 days?
Ganesh Chaturthi is traditionally celebrated as a 10-day or 11-day festival, depending on whether you count by the days of worship or inclusive lunar calendar days.
