Cuttack: Elaborate security and environmentally friendly arrangements have been made for the grand immersion ceremony in Cuttack on Thursday, with more than 150 Durga Puja pandals expected to bring their idols to Devigada near Kathajodi river embankment.Three temporary ponds, each eight feet deep, have been created at Devigada, while another pond has been dug at Gopalpur. Hydra machines are being deployed to lift the idols and facilitate immersion.Mayor Subash Singh and commissioner Kirandeep Kaur Sahota reviewed the preparations on Wednesday. Barricading and festive illumination have been done at the ghat. A well has also been dug to ensure adequate water supply.Cuttack mahanagar Shanti Committee president Debendranath Sahu said the immersion processions would begin at 10 am after the ‘melani’ ritual, with puja committees taking their idols through designated routes to Devigada. Some committees from the outskirts will take their idols to Gopalpur for immersion, Sahu said.Accompanied by traditional folk dance troupes and musicians, the processions are expected to continue through the night. The use of DJ music, however, has been prohibited during the immersion ceremony.To prevent pollution of Kathajodi river, Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has created temporary, polythene-lined artificial ponds at Devigada. Civic officials said excavators, tractors and other vehicles, along with several teams of sanitation workers, had been deployed to clear the ponds promptly after the immersion.Access to the river embankment has been restricted, with Devigada’s designated entrance serving as the sole access point for idols descending towards the immersion site. Light towers have been installed to facilitate the process.Meanwhile, commissionerate police have put in place elaborate security measures to ensure the peaceful conduct of the processions.More than 1,300 CCTV cameras will maintain vigil on the traditional immersion route from College Square to Devigada at Purighat via Ranihat, Manglabag, Nuapatna, Cantonment Road, Mastan Road, Mani Sahu Chakh, Buxi Bazaar, Barapathar, Tinkonia Bagicha, Dargha Bazaar, Jail Road and Choudhury Bazaar.Two special fire service units will remain stationed at Devigada.