Varanasi: The Varanasi Municipal Corporation has designated 13 sites across eight municipal zones for the immersion of Durga idols while announcing that the idols will not be immersed in Ganga to preserve the river’s cleanliness.Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari conducted a surprise inspection on Monday at the Bhelupur Jal Kal campus, Sankuldhara Pokhara and Nagwa area to review the preparations. He also inspected the park being developed inside the Bhelupur Jal Kal premises, beautification work near Sankuldhara Pokhara, the artificial pond prepared for immersion near Sankuldhara, and Kurukshetra Pokhara at Assi.The immersion sites include Jal Kal Campus, below Vishwasundari Bridge, and Kurukshetra Pokhara in Bhelupur zone, Lakshmi Kund Dashashwamedh zone, Maivaiya Pokhara and Sarang Talab in Sarnath, Revagiri Pokhari Rishimandavi, Shivpur in Khadagpur, Machhodari in Adampur, Balua Ghat in Ramnagar and Mandagini Kund and Ishwargangi in Kotwali zone.The Municipal Corporation is making comprehensive arrangements at all the 13 sites to ensure that devotees immerse Durga idols with faith, safety and environmental responsibility.During the inspection, the mayor also reviewed sewer line work being carried out by Jal Nigam in the Nagwa area and directed officials to speed up the work. He instructed officials to complete all arrangements within the stipulated time and ensure proper lighting at all immersion sites so devotees do not face inconvenience at night.Strict directions were issued for regular cleaning, sanitation and security arrangements at all ponds, kunds and premises. The mayor also directed that barricading from immersion routes to the banks of the water bodies and availability of clean drinking water must be ensured. Special municipal teams will be deployed at each designated site for safety and smooth management.
