NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has prepared 81 artificial ponds for people to immerse Ganesh idols at designated sites instead of the Yamuna or other water bodies.The government has also set up 110 collection centres for dignified disposal of old and damaged idols and religious material.The two measures form part of an initiative aimed at balancing religious practices with cleanliness and environmental protection.The initiative will provide designated collection containers at suitable locations, including temples, where devotees can deposit old, damaged idols and other puja material instead of leaving them in public places, chief minister Rekha Gupta said.She said such material is often left under trees, in parks, along roadsides and at other public places due to religious sentiments, creating challenges for cleanliness and the environment.Preparations have also been completed at 81 locations across Delhi for artificial immersion ponds for Ganesh idols. The arrangements cover all 13 revenue districts and include security, sanitation, lighting, medical assistance, emergency response and traffic management, according to a statement.The chief minister has appealed to devotees to immerse Ganesh idols only at designated artificial immersion sites and not in the Yamuna or other water bodies.She also urged people not to dispose of puja material, flowers, garlands and other religious items in rivers or water bodies and to give preference to eco-friendly idols.The government has advised devotees to avoid idols made of Plaster of Paris, colours containing harmful chemicals and decorative materials that can damage water bodies and the environment.Arrangements have also been made for removal of idol remains and other material from immersion sites after the festivities, followed by cleaning of the locations as per the prescribed process, it said.The initiative is aimed at providing organised and clean spaces for people to follow their religious traditions while reducing pressure on public spaces and water bodies, the statement said.Gupta said religious faith and environmental protection should complement each other and urged Delhi residents to use only designated collection centres for damaged idols and religious material and artificial immersion sites for Ganesh idols.

She said maintaining a clean Delhi was a shared responsibility of the government and citizens, and called for public participation to balance faith, cleanliness and environmental protection.The Ganesh festival began on September 14 and will conclude on September 25, when a large number of idols will be immersed after colourful processions.