How about a ‘no-pollution’ visarjan plan: CPCB asks BMC

Ganesh idols being immersed at Aarey Colony on September 11. File pic

In order to ensure natural water bodies are not polluted due to immersion of idols, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to come up with a policy for the same. Last week in a meeting with ward officials, deputy municipal commissioner of Zone 2, Harshad Kale, asked them to come up with suggestions to avoid pollution caused by materials immersed in the sea or lakes, especially during Ganeshotsav and Navratri.

On Thursday, mid-day had reported about an activist pointing out blatant violations of the Water Pollution Control laws by the civic body. The activist said that idols were being re-immersed in the Powai Lake just two days after the actual immersion. However, civic officials said it was being done to respect the religious sentiments of people. As the Ganesh idols that do not get completely dissolved cannot be dumped at any garden or any other place, the BMC usually re-immerses them. However, the activist pointed out that though the corporation has made arrangements to create sections in water bodies that would be used for the purpose, it's not implemented in reality. The environmentalist was of the opinion that the water bodies should be desilted the very next day of immersions to avoid pollution.

Civic officials, however, said that desilting and desludging work is usually carried out 10 days after visarjan as the PoP idols take time to dissolve. Considering all these issues, the BMC will now brainstorm on what possibly could be done to ensure that the pollution in the water bodies is reduced.

Requesting anonymity, a civic official said, "We have been instructed by the CPCB to frame a policy to control pollution that is caused due to immersions in natural water bodies. We will look for an alternative solution to keep the natural water sources free from pollution. The policy will be implemented during next year's Ganeshotsav." Another official said that a meeting between the Ganeshotsav Coordination Committee, police and BMC would be held to frame the new guidelines.