The Times of India        08.09.2014 

PMC fixes 17 spots for immersion

PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has set up 17 immersion points along the Mutha river for devotees to cut short the distance for the ?visarjan' of Ganesha idols on Monday.

"The civic administration has appealed to devotees to immerse the idols in the makeshift tanks and put nirmalya (floral offerings) in the containers. Life guards, generators and loudspeakers will be ready at the immersion ghats," a press release from the civic body stated.

Immersion arrangements have been made at Sangam, Nene/Apte, Vrudheshwar, Omkareshwar ghats, Ashtabhuja temple in Narayan Peth, Pulachiwadi, Bapughat in Narayan Peth, Vitthal Mandir (Alka chowk), behind Garware College, Thosarpaga, Dattawadi, Rajaram Bridge, Aundhgaon ghats, Chima Udyan, Yerawada, Bund Garden and Warje-Karvenagar ghats.

Fire brigade personnel will be on guard at these immersion points to prevent accidents. They will also help people immerse their idols. Ropes have been strung along the ghats and in the riverbed for people to hold on to. The civic body has urged people not to venture deep into the river.

Light masts have been put up for better visibility as the immersion is likely to go on throughout the night. A public address system will give safety instructions. The fire brigade has urged Ganesh mandals to take precautions against fires. Mandals have been told to keep halogen and powerful lights away from the pandal cloth. "Multiple electricity supply from a single point should be avoided," fire brigade officials have told mandals. The civic body has installed CCTV cameras at critical points. immersion points, roads, important landmarks along the routes and on the ghats.

In emergency contact

Fire brigade: 101

Public relations officer

Sanjay More: 9689931141

Disaster management cell

Ganesh Sonune: 9689931511

Prakash Borse: 9689931654

Fire Brigade

Prashant Ranpise

9689931511

Other important numbers: 25501269, 25506800, 25506801, 25506802, 25506803, 25506804

Immersion points

Sangam ghat, Nene/Apte ghat, Vrudheshwar, Omkareshwar ghats, Ashtabhuja temple in Narayan Peth, Pulachiwadi (two locations), Bapughat in Narayan Peth, Vitthal Mandir (Alka chowk), behind Garware College, Thosarpaga, Dattawadi, Rajaram Bridge, Aundhgaon ghats, Chima Udyan, Yerawada, Bund Garden and Warje-Karvenagar ghat