Nagpur Municipal Corporation is starting idol-accepting centres for the immersion of Ganesh idols. The collected idols will be immersed at selected places.
NMC has banned use, sale and storage of idols made of POP (Plaster of Paris). The ban on POP idols will be implemented strictly. The Municipal Commissioner has issued directions relating to eco-friendly Ganesh festival celebrations and to prevent the use of POP idols. The idol-accepting centres are being started to avoid crowds at immersion places. The devotees can hand over the idols at the Zonal Offices of NMC, which will be immersed by NMC.
Those using, selling or storing POP idols may face a fine of Rs 10,000. As demanded by the sculptors association the security deposit has been reduced from Rs 5,000 to Rs 500. They will be allowed to raise a pandal of 10 X 10 feet for the display of idols.
Dr Chaudhari has appealed to use the festival to generate awareness among the masses. He has appealed to use idols of a maximum of 4 feet in height, which can be accepted for immersion at NMC centres and in artificial tanks. The idols of bigger sizes will be allowed to be immersed only at Koradi Talav.
The charges for registration, fire services, inspection etc have been waived by the administration.