Bhubaneswar, Aug. 24: The municipal corporation will build three makeshift ponds on the Kuakhai at ward No. 18 to facilitate immersion of idols.

The artificial ponds will be used for idol immersion from Ganesh Puja to Kali Puja in October.

The civic body has sanctioned Rs 1.81 crore for construction of the temporary ponds and the approach roads to it.

The decision has been taken keeping in view green norms set up by the Central Pollution Control Board to check river pollution. The civic body had started building such ponds in 2015.

"We have floated a tender to select a contractor to construct and maintain the ponds for the next four months. We will continue our practice of the past two years and have asked the various puja committees to use the ponds for immersion instead of the rivers," said city engineer Dwaipayana Pattnaik.

Earlier, puja committees used to immerse the idols at Kuakhai and Daya rivers apart from other natural water bodies in Bhubaneswar leading to major pollution.

"Harmful chemicals such as chromium, cadmium, lead and copper are used to make idols, which dissolve in water and pose a threat to both human beings and flora and fauna," said environmentalist and city resident Sailabala Padhi.

The civic body estimates around 900 Ganesh idols would be immersed at the temporary ponds this year. Besides, 200 Durga idols and about 100 Kali idols are also expected.

Tutu Baliarsingh, member of Rasulgarh Durga Puja Committee, said they didn't intend to pollute the water bodies, but in absence of such temporary ponds, there was no other choice.