The VMC has now decided to clear the slush accumulated in part of the lake facing the Vadodara Fire Brigade with the help of excavators.

On Monday, Municipal Commissioner G R Aloria had announced digging of trenches to provide better level for immersion. There is hardly four-feet water in the lake and the trenches were to be laid at the side near the Vadodara Fire Brigade.

But talking to reporters on Tuesday, Aloria claimed that after inspecting the site it was found that the bulldozers would get stuck if they were lowered in the lake. So while clearing of the slush could solve the problem, it could also enable a smooth passage for those wishing to immerse small idols, he added.

Now, instead from near the Fire Brigade and Music College side, large idols would be immersed from the lane near the Pratap Cinema, he said, adding that cranes would be deployed there for the purpose. The decision to immerse large idols from Pratap cinema side was taken as there is around nine-feet water in that portion, he explained. Following information about the new site to put up cranes, officials of the Police Department visited the lake to chalk out the traffic plan accordingly.

According to VMC sources, the department would also have to issue fresh instructions about the route and timings to bring the idols to the lake.

Earlier in the day, the civic staff tried to lower bulldozers in the lake but could not succeed. City Engineer B S Trapasia, Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Mahendra Desai and Executive Engineer (Technical) Shailesh Naik even surveyed the lake in a boat.