The 10-day long festival that was celebrated with grandeur and cultural fervour across Mumbai culminated with the Ganesh Visarjan on September 17, which carried onto September 18 for some idols. Mumbaikars bid an emotional farewell to Bappa, reminiscing memories of the past days and wishing for his soon return. While Anant Chaturdashi saw devotees throng beaches and immersion sites in large numbers, the next day saw only volunteers and BMC workers collect waste at these sites.

Ganesh Visarjan holds immense significance for the festival, and it is a cultural phenomenon that the city witnesses every year. However, people often overlook the environmental consequences after immersion. Some Ganesh idols wash ashore in a dilapidated condition, especially those made of Plaster of Paris (PoP). Other waste is also generated in large amounts at beaches and other water bodies.