As many as 1.84 lakh Ganesha idols were immersed in mobile tanks and permanent and temporary immersion ponds on lake premises across the five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) on Monday, according to The Hindu Bengaluru. The immersion event took place on September 15, 2026, as part of the annual Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

The West City Corporation recorded the highest number of immersions, with 1.2 lakh idols, followed by Central City Corporation with 28,860, North with 16,857, South with 10,372, and East with 8,460. The GBA had arranged 42 lake premises and temporary immersion tanks and 659 mobile tanks across the five corporations. Mobile tanks were provided on a ward-wise basis to ensure accessibility for residents.

To manage the idol installation process, the GBA established 122 single-window centres across the five corporations. These included 30 in the north, 29 in the south, 24 in the centre, 22 in the west, and 17 in the east corporations. Nodal officers were appointed to guide the public on idol installation and immersion and to oversee the arrangements. Information on immersion locations, mobile tanks, single-window centres, and other arrangements has been listed on the GBA website.

The immersion of Ganesha idols is a significant cultural event in Bengaluru, but it has also raised environmental concerns due to the use of non-biodegradable materials in idol making. While the GBA has taken steps to manage the event, including the provision of mobile tanks and single-window centres, the environmental impact of such large-scale immersion remains a topic of debate.

The GBA has not addressed concerns about the environmental impact of the immersion process, nor has it provided data on the composition of the idols or the measures taken to mitigate pollution. The lack of public engagement on this issue highlights a gap in the GBA's communication strategy.

What remains unknown is the extent of the environmental impact of the immersion event and the long-term sustainability of the current practices. While the GBA has taken steps to manage the event, the absence of a comprehensive environmental assessment or public consultation on the matter leaves key questions unanswered. The immersion of 1.84 lakh idols represents a significant cultural tradition, but it also underscores the need for a balanced approach that considers both cultural and environmental factors.