Rain damages 2 artificial ponds for Durga idol immersion in Bhubaneswar

With the final leg of Dussehra festivities underway, temporary ponds have been arranged along the banks of the Kuakhai and Daya rivers in Bhubaneswar to facilitate the immersion of clay idols of Goddess Durga. However, heavy rains recently washed away the temporary pond set up at the Kuakhai embankment. The authorities are now preparing a new pond on a war-footing basis to ensure smooth immersion.

To manage the massive crowd and traffic, the Commissionerate Police have deployed strict traffic arrangements. Certain key roads will remain closed to vehicular movement during the immersion process, which is scheduled from 2 pm to 1 am.

“Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has constructed five temporary ponds for idol immersion. But due to incessant rain, two ponds were damaged. We are repairing it in a war-footing manner. We are hopeful that it will be completed on time. Police have been deployed as the water current in the river is very strong,” said BMC Mayor Sulochana Das.

In Saheed Nagar, all the idols from local committees will gather and proceed from Ram Mandir Chhak and Master Canteen Chhak to Rajmahal. Similarly, the idols from Nayapalli committees will assemble in Nayapalli and move via CRP Chhak and DAV Chhak to Gopabandhu Chhak and Siripur Chhak.

At Chandrasekharpur, all idols from the local committees will assemble at Club Town Apartments on the ground and then proceed via NALCO Chhak. Authorities are ensuring that all routes are managed efficiently to avoid any congestion, and devotees are urged to follow the directions of police personnel during the immersion process.

The administration has emphasized that these arrangements have been made keeping safety and environmental concerns in mind, while ensuring that the devotees can perform the rituals smoothly.

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“Elaborate security arrangements have been made. All routes and times have been finalised in both Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. We will try to finish the immersion ritual on time and peaceful manner,” said Dev Datta Singh, Twin City Police Commissioner.