The 2025 Ganesh Chaturthi immersions have exposed the hollowness of civic claims about eco-friendly celebrations. While 1,61,525 idols were immersed and 94.15% were clay, the real story is the alarming surge of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols — which almost doubled in just one year.
In 2024, Nagpur saw 4,696 PoP idols (2.84%). This year, that number exploded to 9,456 (5.85%), raising serious doubts about monitoring. Devotees alleged idol makers openly sold PoP idols disguised as clay, and shockingly, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) offered no complaint mechanism. The result: unchecked malpractice and an environmental setback.
Zone data paints an even bleaker picture. Dharampeth zone topped with 2,570 PoP idols out of 13,899 immersions, showing that affluent pockets are driving the PoP trend. Satranjipura recorded 1,672 and Hanuman Nagar 1,349. Meanwhile, Gandhibagh reported only 26 PoP idols despite high overall immersions — proof that strict enforcement works when attempted.
Yes, the NMC arranged 419 artificial tanks and collected 201.41 tonnes of Nirmalya, but these achievements are dwarfed by the administration’s inability to curb PoP use. Citizens rightly ask: what is the point of tanks and composting drives if toxic idols keep slipping through the cracks?
Chief Sanitation Officer Dr. Gajendra Mahalle may claim “smooth arrangements,” but the numbers don’t lie. Nagpur is sliding backward — eco-friendly efforts by citizens are being undercut by civic negligence that allowed PoP idols to make an unwelcome comeback.
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