In Patan city, the local Congress party workers have taken action to address water pollution. During the festival of Dashama, the municipality announced plans for a pond to immerse idols. However, no arrangements were made this year. As a result, locals had to immerse the idols in a canal that supplies drinking water.
This led to anger among the opposition councillors and Congress leaders. They expressed their frustration at the ruling BJP municipality for not taking responsibility. They claimed that the idols were painted with chemical colours. Additionally, items like abeer, gulal, and flowers were also dumped into the canal, making the drinking water contaminated.
Social media highlighted these issues, prompting the municipality to remove some idols from the canal. Yet, even after two days, many idols and other debris remained in the water.
In response, Congress corporators took matters into their own hands. They entered the canal to remove the idols themselves. Their aim was to ensure that the people of Patan could access clean drinking water.
Deepak Patel, the city Congress president, demanded that all the waste and chemical-laden idols be cleaned from the canal. He urged the municipality’s chief officer to take immediate action to provide safe drinking water to the citizens.
The incident raises concerns about the environmental impact of festivals and the responsibilities of local authorities. Many citizens are now calling for better planning and management to avoid such situations in the future. Festivals should be celebrated without harming our natural resources, especially our drinking water. The local government must ensure that adequate arrangements are in place to handle idol immersions properly.
The actions of the Congress workers have been praised by some residents. They appreciate the initiative taken to clean the canal. However, many are still frustrated with the municipality’s lack of preparedness. It is crucial for local authorities to listen to the concerns of citizens and take necessary actions to protect public health and the environment.
As Patan moves forward, residents hope for improved measures to ensure that such issues do not arise again. It is essential to balance cultural practices with environmental responsibility. Everyone deserves access to clean and safe drinking water, and it is the duty of local leaders to uphold this right. The future of Patan depends on sustainable practices that respect both tradition and nature.