The idols of a large number of community pujas were immersed at ghats along the Hooghly on Sunday, senior officials of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation said.

Most of the idols that were immersed on Saturday were from the pujas organised by households.

The idols of more than 1,100 pujas were immersed in the river on Saturday, the first day of the immersion of Durga idols, a senior official of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) said.

On Sunday, by 9pm, the idols of over 1,000 pujas had been immersed in the Hooghly, the official said.

Sixteen ghats along the Hooghly have been earmarked for the immersion. A number of pujas will immerse their idols in ponds in Jadavpur, Garden Reach, Behala, Salt Lake and New Town, too.

Baja Kadamtala Ghat, Judges Ghat, Nimtala Ghat and Ma’er Ghat are among the Hooghy ghats that are most popular among the puja organisers for immersion.

Large cranes have been stationed on the banks ofthe river to remove the idols after immersion to minimise pollution of the water. The frames of the idols, after they are removed from the water, are taken to Dhapa for disposal.

“About 1,100 idols were immersed at the 16 ghats along the Hooghly on Saturday. These were mostly idols from family pujas. Only a few community pujas immersed their idols on Saturday,” said the KMC official.

Most of the idols were immersed by Saturday evening; only a few were taken to the river in the late hours.

“We are expecting a large number of community pujas to come for immersion on Sunday and Monday. Since Sunday is Ekadashi, some organisers might stay away from immersion. If that happens, there will be a rush on Monday,” he said.

The authorities have announced that the pujas have till Tuesday to immerse their idols. But usually the pujas that are selected for the carnival — an occasion that sees idols being paraded through Red Road — immerse their idols on the last day.

“Since all offices will reopen on Monday, the organisers of most community pujas would like to complete the immersion by Sunday,” an official said.

Enclosures have been set up at the ghats and near ponds where flowers, garlands and other items carried with the idols are to be disposed of before immersion, the KMC official said.

Mayor Firhad Hakim and the commissioner of the KMC visited Baja Kadamtala Ghat on Saturday.

Several senior officials, including chief engineers of most of the departments of the KMC, were present at the Hooghly ghats to supervise the immersion arrangements.

The Ganga arati at Baje Kadamtala Ghat is not being held for the immersion ceremony, a KMC official said.

“The arati will resume after the immersion of Lakshmi idols. The immersion dates for Lakshmi idols are October 17 and 18,” said the official.