MAPUSA
With the threat of third wave of Covid-19 looming large, the Mapusa civic body has decided to build an artificial pond, select at least eight immersion sites and allot separate time slots for each ward for the immersion of Ganesh idols in a bid to avoid crowding.
The Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandals have also decided not to organise any cultural programmes as they did last year and instead will hold only religious rituals.
“We will follow all the SOPs issued by the government during the Chaturthi festival. An artificial pond will be constructed in the fields near the Bodgeshwar temple. Besides, another eight spots have been identified for immersion to avoid crowding,” said Shubhangi Vaigankar, Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council.
A joint meeting of various stakeholders was held in the Mapusa municipality where officials of Mapusa Police, traffic cell, fire station, mamlatdar and BDO office and representatives of various Sarvajanik Ganesh mandals were present.
Various issues like immersion spots, measures to avoid overcrowding during immersion, like time slots for different wards, matoli bazaar, parking issue etc were discussed.
It was decided to follow various measures taken last year like fixing time slots for immersion for different wards for individual households as well sarvajaniks.
Suggestions were also made to reduce use of fire crackers and to restrict the timing for immersion of the Ganesh idols.
The chairperson informed that Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandals have decided not to have cultural programmes just like last year.
…But matoli bazaar inside market?
MAPUSA: While decisions were taken to avoid overcrowding during the immersion of Ganesh idols, a group of ruling councillors wanted to hold the matoli bazaar in the municipal market defeating the whole purpose of avoiding a crowd in the market.
Last year, the council had made elaborate arrangements of holding the matoli bazaar at different spots around the town in order to avoid the gathering of a large number of people.
Mapusa market witnesses a big crowd of consumers, days before the Chaturthi festival, as people from as far as Bicholim and Pernem converge in Mapusa for purchase of matoli goods.
“Last year the business of the merchant community was affected as the matoli bazaar was shifted out of the municipal market. This year we may consider allowing the matoli bazaar in the market. However, the final decision in the matter is yet to be taken,” said Mapusa Chairperson, Shubhangi Vaigankar.
