New Delhi, Sept. 22 -- The Delhi government is establishing 110 collection centres for old and damaged idols and religious material while preparing 81 artificial immersion ponds for Ganesh festival arrangements. The initiative, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, combines religious-use facilities with measures focused on cleanliness, water bodies and environmental protection.

The collection centres are being set up at identified locations, including suitable sites such as temples. Devotees will be able to deposit old or damaged idols and other puja-related material in designated containers. The government said the arrangement is intended to offer an organised alternative to leaving religious material under trees, in parks, along roadsides...