Sri Vijaya Puram, October 19: The Member of Parliament, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, has written to the Lt. Governor, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, requesting arrangements for Durga Puja idols to be taken into the deep sea for immersion by a vehicle ferry of the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) from Phoenix Bay Jetty, instead of immersing them at Marina Park and Junglighat Jetty, in view of the problem of idols remaining visible due to low tide.
In his letter dated October 19, 2026, the MP stated that it had come to his notice that about 20 Durga Puja committees are organising the Durga Puja festival at various places from October 19 to 21, 2026. As per the permission issued, the immersion of the idols of Maa Durga and the other deities installed with her has been permitted only at Marina Park and Junglighat.
Mr. Ray pointed out that, since the beginning, the idols have traditionally been immersed in the deep sea between Chatham and Haddo Bridge after the conclusion of the Durga Puja festival. However, owing to the repair and reconstruction work on the bridge, this tradition has been stopped for the last one year, and permission for immersion is being given at Marina Park and Junglighat.
He stated that the immersion sites earmarked at Marina Park and Junglighat are not suitable because of low tide. As a result, the idols remain visible above the water during low tide and may also drift towards the shore with the sea waves. This affects the religious sanctity and the basic purpose of idol immersion.
The MP further stated that, in this regard, the Durga Puja committees have requested the Directorate of Shipping Services to arrange for the idols to be taken to the deep sea from Phoenix Bay Jetty by vehicle ferry. A similar arrangement is also made for the immersion of idols at the Marine Hall organised by the Marine Department. However, the DSS has reportedly expressed its inability to make the necessary arrangements.
Keeping the above circumstances in view, Mr. Ray humbly requested the Lt. Governor to issue the necessary directions to the Directorate of Shipping Services and the departments concerned, so that proper arrangements can be made to take the idols of Maa Durga and the other deities installed with her from all Durga Puja pandals to the deep sea from Phoenix Bay Jetty by vehicle ferry for immersion.
He said such an arrangement would ensure an appropriate and dignified immersion of the idols of all Durga Puja committees in accordance with religious traditions, adding that similar arrangements are prevalent in West Bengal, Mumbai, Gujarat and other coastal regions. Expressing confidence that the Lt. Governor would personally intervene in the matter and issue the necessary directions to the officials concerned, the MP thanked him.
