Valsad Residents Protest Poor Ganesh Immersion Arrangements, Dig Up Ground At Auranga River Site

Valsad residents and former municipality president Raju Marcha staged a strong protest at the Ganesh idol immersion site along the Auranga River, alleging that the Valsad Municipality and administration failed to make proper arrangements despite repeated complaints. As part of the protest, locals dug up the ground at the site to express their anger over the alleged negligence.

Locals Question Temporary Immersion Arrangements

Ganesh mandals and devotees have been using the port along the Auranga River for idol immersion for years. Residents said they have repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of proper facilities at the site, particularly ahead of the Ganesh festival.

With immersion preparations now underway, authorities have started work on a ramp in the river. However, locals alleged that the work was being carried out without proper planning or a concrete foundation.

According to residents, coal and mud were being dumped into the river to create the ramp, while proper materials such as rubber stones were not being used. They claimed the approach had raised concerns about the quality and safety of the arrangements.

Demand For New Port Pending For 15 Years

Residents and Ganesh mandals have been demanding a new port for idol immersion for around 15 years. They alleged that despite repeated representations, neither the municipality nor the administration had taken concrete steps towards addressing the issue.

Locals also claimed that temporary work is carried out every year just before the festival, which they described as a formality rather than a permanent solution.

Raju Marcha Criticises Administration

Former municipality chief Raju Marcha said he and other residents had been raising the issue with the administration for the past one-and-a-half months.

Marcha alleged that Valsad’s remaining heritage structure from the British era was being surrounded by what he described as inadequate arrangements for the immersion of Ganesh idols.

Questioning the method being used to construct the ramp, Marcha asked how coal and mud dumped into a river could provide a stable structure without a proper foundation or rubber stones.

He said residents were tired of repeatedly approaching the authorities and staged the protest to convey their anger over the issue.

The protest has once again brought attention to the long-standing demand for better and permanent arrangements at the Auranga River immersion site.