NMC plans to cap size of idols to 4 ft

Nagpur: With a view to protect city’s water bodies, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is planning to restrict the height and breadth of idols to 4 ft for mandals and 2x2 for individuals.
City’s sculpture association — Paramparik Murtikar Va Hastakala Karigar Sanghatana — has come forward to help the NMC put a complete ban on plaster of paris idols.
Municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B confirmed that the NMC is mooting to restrict height and breadth of all idols in the city. “The move will help the civic body to conserve the water bodies,” he said adding this year too NMC will continue its ban on idol immersion in city’s lakes.
The Central Pollution Control Board has advocated restricting the size of idols which has empowered the state government and local administration to take a call on the size of idols. “Before implementing our decision, we will also wait whether the state government is taking any call on this,” he pointed out.
Association’s president Suresh Pathak said they too support the CPCB’s decision and already urged the NMC to issue a circular in this regard.
Pathak claimed none of the city’s sculptures make PoP idols. They are being transported to the city from Amravati, Ashti, Akola, Washim, Arvi and Yavatmal.
In a letter addressed to municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B, the association has urged the commissioner to start taking action on PoP idol sellers from Janmashtami festival and the action should be continued till Diwali.
“Last year, Nagpur witnessed zero immersion in lakes during Ganesh idol visarjan,” said founder of city-based NGO Green Vigil Foundation, Kaustav Chatterjee. He pointed out that this was possible due to barricading of all lakes and restricting the height of the idol to 4 feet.
“This year along with PoP idols, restricting the height, length & breadth of idols also need to be issued by the civic body. Last year, the Covid impact helped NMC in implementing the strategy but this year, in absence of any restriction so far, there could be an opposition especially related to restricting the height of the idols,” he said.
NMC can impose surplus charge on idols over 4 feet high and with the collected amount, NMC can construct huge artificial tanks for immersion of such idols. Early meetings with all Ganesh mandals can help in smooth implementation of eco-friendly Ganpati visarjan.