BBMP, KSPCB awareness drives against PoP Ganesha idols

Agencies are cracking down on units making such idols

Joining hands with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike will hold various awareness campaigns against Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesha idols.

This Ganesh Chaturthi, the Palike also has plans to install 150 mobile tanks across the city for the idol immersion. It would install four tanks in each ward.

BBMP commissioner Manjunath Prasad has issued orders to the officials to seize PoP Ganesha idols and penalise the manufacturers.

Kicking off their drive on Saturday, the BBMP health department and KSPCB officials seized 853 PoP Ganesha idols in and around Basavanagudi and closed down four manufacturing units.

"The BBMP and KSPCB will hold awareness campaigns to use only eco-friendly idols. Palike officials have already started the drive to seize PoP idols in the city," a BBMP official said.

The KSPCB has capped the height of Ganesha idols at five feet across the state. To immerse the large idols, the BBMP will provide cranes, which will help avoid accidents.

The pollution control board and the civic body will inform the public of immersion tanks in the area, where help desks with police personnel will be installed at the immersion centres. A vigilance team consisting of volunteers will also be formed.