Vijaya Dashami was unique on several counts this year, the foremost being an undisputed victory over river pollution in the capital and the steel city.
Several diligent organisers in Ranchi ensured that organic and inorganic puja paraphernalia were removed from Bada Talab, Line Tank Talab and Kanke Dam after immersions were over.
“We followed pollution control norms because that is the best way to celebrate any festival,” said Munchun Rai convener of Ranchi Zilla Durga Puja Committee.
In Jamshedpur, Tata Steel subsidiary Jusco and the central Durga Puja committee joined hands to develop Domuhani Ghat and Bodhanwala Ghat, along the Kharkai, as role models with separate containers to dispose of inorganic puja items, which otherwise choke lifeline rivers.
Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee and local NGOs too placed dustbins along all ghats to ensure that organic matter such as flowers and bilva patra (Bel leaves), and inorganic leftovers like plastic are not dumped into rivers.
Security was foolproof and no untoward incident was reported till the filing of this report on Friday evening.
The Ranchi district administration, along with police and NDRF, ensured peaceful immersion processions across the capital. A government chopper showered rose petals on devotees on Main Road, Ratu Road and in Harmu while it maintained vigil.
In Jamshedpur, three control rooms were set up at Mango roundabout, near Tatanagar station and in Golmuri, in addition to the one in Sakchi. All were equipped with wireless sets and manned by magistrates who had reinforcement at their disposal. Drones kept special vigil on crowded ghats in Sakchi.
It goes without saying that immersion of 311 Durga idols were peaceful across 14 riverbanks and three lakes amid tight police bandobast. Licensed organisers kept their promise and began the ceremonial immersions as early as possible. The first bisarjan took place by 11am at Subernarekha Ghat, which witnesses the maximum of 120 immersions.
Dhalbhum SDO Chandan Kumar said organisers were strictly told to follow designated immersion routes and comply with directives against playing “sensitive” songs.
“Most Puja committees adhered to immersion rules. Civil defence personnel and local fishermen have been deployed to prevent drowning accidents. Danger zones have been demarcated with red flags. This will be a safe Dashami,” he added.
Safety protocol was followed to the letter in both cities.
In Ranchi, NDRF personnel were deployed at strategic locations near water bodies to prevent mishaps.
The East Singhbhum health department mobilised nursing homes, hospitals and NGOs to keep ambulances and medical teams on standby across 19 locations.
Power supply in JUVNL command areas like Mango, Jugsalai, Parsudih, Govindpur, Birsanagar, Baridih, Shastrinagar and Kadma was disconnected from noon onwards to allow bisarjan revellers to rally without the fear of being electrocuted.
Heavy vehicles, including long-distance buses, have been barred from steel city limits from 10am on Friday till 4am on Saturday. Passengers will be dropped near Dimna roundabout on NH-33 and Sundernagar.
