Morning walkers at Sankey Tank had to cut their stroll short as an overpowering stench due to the immersion of Ganesha idols filled the air on Tuesday.

When civic workers started removing 20 truckloads of Ganesha idols that were soaked in the immersion pond of the lake for the last 15 days, a rotten smell went through the air, putting walkers off. The workers were drawing out remnants of the immersed idols, partially rotten offerings, dilapidated idols made of plaster of Paris and other solid waste dumped in the pond.

“This lake is usually well-maintained, but when I went this morning, I had to cut my walk short as the stench near the immersion pond was unbearable. Even after the festival, people would leave garlands around a tree,” said Anusha, a walker.

Local corporator Sumangala B of Aramane Nagar said that around ten truckloads of idols and other items like garland were removed on Tuesday. She said that the remaining idols would be removed from the pond in the next two days. She attributed the stench to the idols made of plaster of Paris.

Dr A R Anand, president of Sankey Tank Walkers’ Association, said that the current situation was better than what it was three years ago. Back then, the pond would be cleared of the idols only three months after the festival concluded, he said.