Ulsoor Lake is being readied for the immersion of Durga idols this month.
The lake has recorded over a lakh immersions of Ganesha idols last week.
Now, the authorities concerned are busy cleaning up the tank which is filled with remains of idols and the water is coloured black due to the colour run-off from the idols.
Along with this, there is plaster of Paris (PoP) and other material.
Workers at the lake said that an increased number of PoP Ganesha idols immersed in the lake this festival, is likely to cause delay in clearing the lake for the immersion of Durga idols, which will come in after Dussehra.
The workers have to clear most parts of the lake where the Ganesha idols were immersed.
“We will clear as much debris as we can before we start receiving the Durga idols from October 24,” said Ravi, a contract worker.
Nearly 1,000 Durga idols are expected to be immersed during Dussehra festival.
Babu, who maintains the lake told Express, “This time, most of the immersed Ganesha idols were made out of PoP.
The problem with these idols are that they cannot be lifted as they break into pieces.
The boys have to go into the lake, break the idols and then shift the debris on to the tank bund,” he said.
According to him, close to one lakh idols had been immersed into the lake.
However, many did immerse the idols during night and it may be around 30,000, he said.
The cleaning staff fished out wood, flowers, metal rods, ropes, and plastic covers from the lake.
Ten-wheel tippers make about eight to ten trips each night and smaller trucks make 15 trips each day to collect clay and other remains away, said workers.
Amarnath, a real estate consultant, said, “These idols are immersed after removing the flowers and puja offerings.
But that’s not enough. They should completely ban PoP Ganeshas from entering lakes.”