Pune Ganeshotsav: Get ammonium bicarbonate free of cost and immerse your Ganesh idols at home, says PMC
Pune: In view of the ban on immersion tanks at public places for Ganesh idols visarjan on the 1.5, fifth, seventh and tenth day of the domestic Ganeshotsav, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to distribute ammonium bicarbonate free of cost to citizens. The ammonium bicarbonate helps dissolve the Ganesh idols in a bucket of water within 48 hours of the immersion, thus providing an alternative for citizens to conduct idol immersion at home.
PMC has approved the purchase of 150 metric tonnes of ammonium bicarbonate for this purpose. This decision has been taken after considering the difficulties citizens face during the immersion process of Ganesh idols especially those made with the Plaster of Paris (PoP) which is insoluble in plain water.
Mayor Murlidhar Mohol and Joint Commissioner of Pune Police Dr Ravindra Shisve had elaborated the crowding scene if immersion tanks are allowed to be operated on the visarjan day for citizens. Considering two to four persons stepping out for the immersion process and around 6 lakh Ganesh idols were immersed in artificial water tanks, it can be estimated that 15 to 20 lakh citizens will be out on roads during the 10-day festival, Mohol and Shisve had explained.
PMC Standing Committee chairperson Hemant Rasane supported the decision saying that it will help citizens to celebrate an eco-friendly festival at home as artificial water tanks are banned this year in wake of Covid-19 outbreak.
THE SCIENTIFIC ‘MAGIC’
• Ammonium bicarbonate solution is a common rising agent used by bakeries.
• Plaster of Paris is made of gypsum and reacts with the Ammonium Bicarbonate solution.
• It produces sludge of calcium carbonate that is used to make chalk; and a milky-white liquid solution of calcium sulphate which is widely used as fertiliser.
• Idols have to be placed inside a bucket full of water for 48 hours.
• Then ammonium bicarbonate is put in the water.
• The sludge settles down and the milky white liquid forms the top which can be used for gardening.
