Mumbai, 24 July (HS): 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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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar