The Bombay High Court has directed all the local bodies to ensure that Ganesh idols up to six feet are immersed in artificial tanks only. The orders are applicable across the state of Maharashtra.
The Court had banned immersion of idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) in natural water bodies. However, the government stated that arranging for immersion of big and tall idols in artificial tanks is difficult, at least for this year. The High Court Bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne issued the order for immersion of idols up to six feet in artificial tanks applicable up to March 2026, which includes the Ganesh Festivals of Ashad and Magh months of the Hindi almanac.
In Mumbai, 204 artificial tanks have been installed for immersion of 1.10 lakh idols of up to five feet height. The Government and Bombay Municipal Corporation pleaded that allowing immersion of big idols in the sea and other natural water bodies is necessary, as arranging artificial tanks for them is not possible.
The ban on immersion of idols made of PoP in natural water bodies continues, although the court has lifted the ban on making and sale of PoP idols. The court also directed the State Government to draft a policy relating to the immersion of PoP idols.
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