Cuttack: The civic body has dug up temporary ponds at eight locations along the banks of the Mahanadi and the Kathajodi rivers for immersion of Ganesh idols from Sunday.

The Cuttack Municipal Corporation's deputy executive engineer D.K. Tripathy told The Telegraph on Saturday that temporary ponds had been dug on the basis of proposals received from the police.

"We have dug up temporary ponds at eight locations - five on the Mahanadi river bed and three on the Kathajodi river bed - this year to prevent pollution of river water," Tripathy said.

"The temporary ponds will be ready with polythene cover and water pumped into them from the river by noon on Sunday for immersion of idols."

He said sanitary staff members would be engaged for immediate post-immersion clearance from the temporary ponds and dumping at a separate place. Excavators would be pressed into service to carry away and dispose of the immersed idols at the assigned yards.

The eight locations where the temporary ponds have been dug are Nehrupalli, Dasatutha, Kartikeswargada Ghat, Matamatha and Bhuasuni on the Mahanadi river bed and Devigada, Khannagar and near Abhiran Matha on the Kathajodi riverbed.

The police have allowed completion of immersion of Ganesh idols in three phases from Sunday.

The police have been allowing phased immersion of Ganesh idols on Sundays and public holidays since 2015 following directions of Orissa High Court.

"This year we have decided to allow immersion ceremony of Ganesh idols in three phases - September 16, 23 and October 7 - all Sundays," said Asim Mishra, assistant commissioner of police.

The high court had ordered for immersions in phased manner on public holidays keeping in view the large number of Ganesh idols as processions on those days would not cause traffic congestion and inconvenience to the general public.

There has been a rise in number of idols that come up on Ganesh Chaturti with more and more youngsters and youth clubs celebrating it in recent years in the city. The number had reportedly gone up from around 700 in 2013 to around 1,035 in 2017.

"Permission has been given for immersion of around 250 idols on the first Sunday (September 16)," Mishra said.

Police permits have also been made mandatory for installing Ganesh idols in public places in the city after it was found that large number of idols were coming up at several places that obstructed the free flow of traffic without any permission from police.

The organisers are expected to specify the nearest temporary pond while giving details of the immersion route for their idol to get the permit.