As deadline comes to an end, Hooghly ghats witness unprecedented idol immersions
Times of India | 5 October 2025Major immersion ghats along the Hooghly witnessed a record immersion of idols. According to a KMC parks and squares department official, six major ghats together recorded the immersion of 1,800 idols on Thursday. Although the pace of the immersion was slow until 4 pm on Friday, several major ghats like Bajekadamtolla, Nimtolla, and Judges Ghat witnessed a surge of idols after evening. According to a KMC parks department official, major ghats recorded the immersion of 1,200 idols by Saturday dawn.
Apart from the idols chosen for the carnival, another 800 odd idols left for immersion were accommodated at the ghats along the Hooghly and the designated immersion ponds by Sunday dawn.
"We have kept elaborate arrangements for the smooth immersion of the remaining idols at the ghats. Kolkata Police and KoPT have extended their cooperation in ensuring no untoward incidents happen during the immersion process," said a civic official.
Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) had also taken special measures this year to prevent river pollution. Debangshu Das, the vice-chairman of HMC overseeing the immersion process, said: "This year, as soon as the idols were immersed in the water, they were lifted out of the water with the help of cranes. There will be no immersion in the middle of the river. An agency has been contracted to lift the idols. They will remove the idols along with their structures to another location.
"This year, around 11,000 idols, including both community and household pujas, have been immersed. The Howrah City Police and civic staff kept a strict watch to ensure that the paint from the idols did not mix with the water. Some club authorities wanted to immerse the idols in the deep waters using boats, but this request was denied considering potential environmental hazard."
