KDMC spent Rs 5.26 crore on Ganesh idol immersion, RTI finds no record of what happens after
An RTI query has found KDMC spent Rs 5.26 crore on 105 idol immersion works in 2025 but has no record of post-immersion disposal.
Images are not validated/verified
The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) area spent a total of Rs 5,26,39,563 on arrangements for the immersion of Ganesh idols in 2025. This came to light through an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
A total of 105 works were carried out, including artificial immersion tanks, syntex tanks, rotating immersion chambers and other arrangements. The RTI reply clearly states that this entire amount was spent on these 105 works.
The information was sought from KDMC by Hindutva activist and concerned citizen Vijay Thakre. He had asked how many artificial tanks were built for immersion, how the tenders for them were floated, how much was spent, and most importantly, how the idols are disposed of after immersion.
According to the information received, 98 tenders worth less than Rs 10 lakh each and 7 tenders worth more than Rs 10 lakh each were floated across the corporation's 10 wards. In total, 105 works were carried out and the amount mentioned above was spent on them.
But the real question lies beyond this. Thakre said there is no procedure on record for what is done with the water in the artificial tanks after immersion, or how the immersed Ganesh idols are disposed of. This fact itself emerged from the RTI reply. In other words, crores of rupees were spent setting up the entire immersion arrangement, but the corporation has no account of what happens after that.
Expressing strong displeasure over this, Vijay Thakre said, "The corporation spends crores of rupees in the name of preventing pollution during Ganeshotsav, but it is a serious matter that there is no information available on what is done with the Ganesh idols, which have been consecrated, after immersion. This hurts the religious sentiments of Ganesh devotees. The corporation should make public the full account of every expense on the immersion arrangements and the complete process followed after immersion."
Thakre also demanded that the corporation provide clarity on sewage management through the year, since a large amount is being spent on pollution control. He has also demanded that the Pollution Control Board investigate the entire matter.
It is not yet clear what the official stand of the KDMC administration is on the expenditure revealed through the RTI and on the management of idols and water after immersion.
