Haridwar bans Durga idol immersion at Har-ki-Pauri, specifies three places

HARIDWAR: The Haridwar district administration has prohibited immersion of idols during Durga Mahotsava at Har-kiPauri, earmarking three places on Ganga ghats for immersions.

Idols of goddess Durga will be immersed at Bairagi camp Kumbh mela land, Kankhal and near VIP Ganga ghat, said Dayanand Saraswati, chief town commissioner of the Haridwar Municipal Corporation.

“Apart from these three places, idol immersion is not allowed anywhere in Haridwar.

We have put up information through hoardings, banners and news channels about the specified idol immersion sites and prohibitions in place,” said Saraswati.

The restrictions on immersions have been imposed going by Covid-19 guidelines and environmental concerns.

Adhering to the directives of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding pollution in the Ganga, the district administration has made it clear that anyone found immersing idols other than the three specified spots will be liable to legal action and even imposed an environmental penalty of ₹50,000. “The municipal corporation has made elaborate arrangements at the permitted three sites for idol immersions,” said Saraswati.

Ganga Sabha president Pradeep Jha said, “The civic body’s initiative will ensure idols get immersed at specified places where facilities have been arranged.”

Social activist and singer Ananya Bhatnagar urged devotees and Durga Puja pandal committees to ensure that they immerse idols at the earmarked placeskeeping environmental concerns and cleanliness of the Ganga in mind.