Pune district will be able to to use loudspeakers till midnight for five days during the Ganesh festival. And the fifth day plan, which was to be decided by district collectors of respective districts in the state, will continue “till further orders”.

This was announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at a special meeting conducted in Mumbai in the presence of collectors, municipal commissioners and police officials from Pune, Mumbai and Thane. For Pune, the five days when loudspeakers can be used will be September 10, 11, 12, 13 and 15.

During the special meeting, it was decided to go ahead with dates proposed by local authorities for allowing loudspeakers till midnight ‘till further orders’. Pune Collector Saurabh Rao said, “Till a special resolution is passed, it has been decided to continue with the dates proposed by the respective collectors for this festival.” The meeting also discussed the overall preparedness of each district for the upcoming festival that included security arrangements.

All municipal commissioners were asked to make arrangements for sufficient ghats for the immersion and were told to go eco-friendly. Pune Municipal Commissioner Kunal Kumar has proposed to use ammonium bicarbonate for immersion in special tanks. A pilot test will be conducted at specific areas and the results will be forwarded to the government.

Deputy Commissioner, solid waste management, Suresh Jagtap, said that when plaster of paris idols are immersed in ammonium bicarbonate and water, the idols dissolve in 24-48 hours. This year, special tanks for immersing idols will be kept at schools and other specific places in the city.