Kolkata: KMC workers deployed at the major immersion ghats along the Hooghly on Saturday struggled to remove idol structures on the last day of immersion as heaps of bamboo frames clogged the banks following the nightlong visarjan since Friday evening.Most of the city’s well-known Durga Puja organisers had made a beeline for the ghats to complete the immersion process on Friday. A KMC official said major ghats recorded 800 immersions since Friday evening.“Our machines and manpower worked overnight to meet the requirements of the puja organisers who are expected to arrive at the major ghats in droves through Friday night. Now we are relaxed that the immersion process has ended peacefully,” said a civic official.Among the structures sent off, 212 idols were immersed at Bajekadamtolla (Babughat) ghat. Some other ghats that witnessed a surge include Nimtala, Judges Ghat and Doighat (Kidderpore). This apart, around 700 idols were immersed in ponds across the city. “We are happy that by Saturday, immersion of almost 100% of the city’s idols was complete,” said a KMC official. Special mechanical ramps, slides and rail-mounted trolleys/conveyor systems were deployed at the major ghats, including Bajekadamtolla, Nimtala, Gwalior, Judges and Doi ghats.The presence of a high tide in the Hooghly on Friday afternoon had ensured a smooth process for hundreds of idols though immersions were not as easy on Thursday, when a low tide made it difficult to remove the idols and frames. The heaps of structures, which had accumulated at Bajekadamtolla, Nimtala and Doighat on Thursday, made the immersion scenes trickier for the KMC immersion coordination team and cops on duty.The KMC officials on duty at the major ghats on Saturday requisitioned more cranes, earthmovers and trucks at Bajekadamtala (Babughat) ghat to ensure the idols sent off on Friday were cleared away faster.Officials at the KMC headquarters on Thursday had confirmed that around 2,800 idols were immersed in the Hooghly and in ponds on Dashami on Wednesday. Of the major ghats, while Doighat on Wednesday recorded the immersion of around 700 idols, Bajekadamtala (Babughat) recorded 560 idols. Only a few organisers sent off their idols on Thursday, popularly considered an “auspicious” day.Also, KMC teams from the parks and square and solid waste management departments were present at the city’s neighbourhood ponds to ensure a smooth immersion of neighbourhood and household pujas. “Our teams are active in Behala, Jadavpur-Tollygunge and areas located off EM Bypass,” said a KMC parks department official.
