BBMP to seize and dispose Ganesha idols made of PoP; criminal cases against such idol makers

The city’s civic body has decided to seize and dispose of all Ganesha idols made using Plaster of Paris (PoP), thermocol and chemical paints. Not just that, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to book criminal cases against individuals found manufacturing Ganesha idols using banned materials like Plaster of Paris.

Meanwhile, BBMP has said that only eco-friendly Ganesha idols can be worshipped in the city’s pandals. Idols with materials banned cannot be installed.

“Nodal Officers from the respective BBMP sub-divisions, along with officers from the Police, Fire, and Bescom , must inspect such manufacturing/sales areas, issue notices, conduct site inspections, and, upon discovering any violations, impose fines, file criminal cases, and seize the banned materials. Zonal Commissioners will oversee these actions at the zonal level,” it was decided at a meeting chaired by Chief Civic Commissioner on Wednesday.

Single window clearance centres

Meanwhile, the city’s civic body has formed 75-single window clearance centres at the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) sub-divisional level with Assistant Executive Engineer as its nodal officer, for all permissions related to public celebrations of the Ganesha festival. “Officers from BBMP, the police, Bescom , and the fire departments will be present at these centres to provide approval from a single location,” BBMP said in a statement on Wednesday.

Immersion facilities

BBMP will identify designated immersion locations in each ward for larger idols. The BBMP will also create temporary immersion tanks near lakes. Dedicated teams will be deployed at immersion sites to ensure public safety. Necessary arrangements such as ambulances, medical staff, lighting, barricading, sound systems, and trained swimmers will be made. Zonal Commissioners should appoint one supervising officer per zone and one nodal officer per ward to oversee immersion-related activities, Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao directed.

Plastic ban

Mr. Rao also directed to form enforcement teams in each zone to monitor the illegal sale and use of plastic, and penalise violators. He also directed officials to take measures to clear additional festival waste, to segregate waste and send the waste to the civic body’s processing units.