Ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi 2025, Bombay HC makes BIG changes for visarjan; says...

The Bombay High Court on Thursday ordered the immersion of all idols of up to six feet in height in artificial tanks starting from the 10-day Ganesh festival being celebrated from August 27 this year. The order will be effective till March next year for the festivals that require immersion of idols of deities, including those made of Plaster of Paris (PoP). "The court has to make an endeavour that the impact of immersion of idols is bare minimum on the environment. Therefore, idols up to 6 feet should compulsorily be immersed in artificial water tanks," a bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne said.

Bombay HC's new rule for idol immersion ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi

The high court further asked the state government to ensure implementation of its policy regarding immersion of idols in "letter and spirit". All the local bodies must ensure that the idols, up to six feet in height, are immersed in artificial water bodies, the bench said. The high court also asked the government to form an expert committee to suggest measures to recycle the PoP material used in making idols. The committee should also examine the scientific measures so that the idols can be dissolved in an eco-friendly manner. The bench gave the ruling while hearing a bunch of petitions seeking implementation of the revised guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in regards to PoP idols.

Earlier, Bombay HC has barred the manufacture, sale and immersion of PoP idols in a major move to safeguard the environment. However, the court later modified its previous order, allowing their manufacture and sale but restricting their immersion in natural water bodies. The court's decision was followed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines on PoP idols. The court also instructed the BMC and other agencies to follow the CPCB guidelines. 

(With inputs from PTI)