ULHASNAGAR: Two days after BJP MLA Kumar Ailani took credit for the newly developed ghat near the Antilia complex, where large numbers of Ganesh idols were immersed, the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) on Monday evening, on the directions of Mayor Ashwini Nikam, issued an order declaring the immersion activities unauthorised and directing that they be stopped. The civic body cited concerns over pollution in the Ulhas river and its possible impact on a drinking water source.The decision comes amid differences between local leaders of the BJP and Shiv Sena, both part of the ruling alliance. The timing of the civic action, taken on the instructions of the mayor belonging to Shiv Sena, shortly after Ailani highlighted the ghat’s development, has added to the political friction between the two parties in Ulhasnagar. However, the civic administration has cited environmental and public health concerns as the reason for the order.The order, issued by additional municipal commissioner Dr Dheeraj Chavan, followed complaints from local residents of Antilia township to Mayor Ashwini Nikam. It stated that idol immersion, disposal of nirmalya and ashes in the flowing river could contaminate the water.The civic body said water from the area is linked to nearby pumping stations and the municipal drinking water supply system. It also referred to directions from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on protecting drinking water sources from immersion-related pollution.UMC officials have been directed to prevent further immersion at the site. Devotees have been asked to use artificial immersion ponds and designated ghats arranged near the Century Rayon complex.The civic administration also stated that idol immersion had not traditionally taken place at the Antilia location.
