GHMC readying 23 artificial ponds, to build three more

Hyderabad: GHMC has made plans to clean 23 artificial ponds that were constructed near major tanks and complete construction of three more ponds for the Ganesh immersion to be held on September 12. The artificial ponds were constructed specially for Ganesh immersion to prevent water pollution of tanks. Immersion of Ganesh idols pollutes water with Plaster of Paris and other chemicals.

GHMC has taken up the construction of immersion tanks in three phases at 26 different places. In the first phase, 10 immersion tanks were taken up with an estimated cost of Rs 6.95 crore; in the second phase, construction of 15 immersion tanks were taken up with an estimated cost of Rs 14.94 crore, of which 13 were already completed and two are still in progress. In the third phase, construction of an immersion tank is taken up at Banda Cheruvu of Malkajgiri AT an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore and construction works are still in progress. The immersions tanks are being built to accommodate at least 5,000 idols.

On Tuesday, GHMC commissioner Dana Kishore inspected the ongoing construction of an immersion tank at Safilguda tank. He reviewed lighting, sanitation and other arrangements being made for Ganesh immersion at the tank and instructed the officials to make necessary arrangements for the programme so that devotees do not face any inconvenience. He instructed officials to call tenders for repair of roads leading to the tank, providing basic amenities such as drinking water, tents and temporary toilets.

Dana Kishore said that construction of three immersion tanks, Saki tank in Patancheru, Hussain Sagar near Ambedkar Nagar and Banda Cheruvu in Malkajgiri, was still in progress and would be completed soon.