Artificial ponds gain favour for Ganesh immersion

T P Venu  I hyderabad : Artificial immersion facilities that the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) began developing in 2022 are finally showing results, with citizens warming up to the idea and utilisation growing each year. This year, more than 45,000 idol immersions have been completed in the city so far, with a majority of artificial ponds witnessing a steady flow of families.

Posters and awareness campaigns appear to have helped popularise the facilities. Idols below three feet are permitted in the artificial ponds, while GHMC workers remove debris from the ponds on the same day. Ramulu, a worker at the artificial pond at Kapra Lake, said the number of people opting for baby ponds has increased compared to previous years.

In 2025, GHMC had 74 artificial water bodies, comprising 27 portable prefabricated tanks, 20 temporary excavation tanks and 27 baby ponds. This year, temporary baby ponds have also been developed at Moosarambagh in Circle 29 and at Maruthi Nagar to provide additional immersion facilities closer to residential areas.

Tank Bund out of bounds

Immersion along the main road side of Tank Bund has been prohibited following court directions. Police personnel have been directing people arriving with idols to People’s Plaza, the designated immersion point. Posters have been put up along Tank Bund Road, while barricades have been erected to prevent immersion at the prohibited locations.

GHMC has identified 47 immersion locations and water bodies, including baby ponds and excavation tanks, to manage the festival rush.

In Cyberabad, major immersion facilities include IDL Lake, Pragathi Nagar Lake, Gangaram Cheruvu, Malkam Cheruvu, Durgam Cheruvu and Kokapet Kotha Cheruvu. The growing use of smaller artificial facilities is helping distribute the immersion load and reduce dependence on major water bodies.