Bengaluru: Ahead Of Ganesh Chaturthi, Authorities To Ban PoP Idols & Fill Potholes For Processions 

Bengaluru is gearing up for Ganesh Chaturthi festivities. Just like in Bengaluru, like the rest of India, idols made out of Plaster of Paris are a menace to the city’s water bodies. The non-biodegradable idols will contaminate the water and kill sea creatures by expanding the corrosive substance of the water. Idols made of cow biodegradable substances like clay, chocolate and even cow dung have slowly gained popularity. However, PoP idols remain in circulation, with authorities working on implementing a ban for the same this year.

PoP Ganesha Idols To Be Banned In Bengaluru During Ganesh Charuthi

According to a report by The New Indian Express, Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner KN Dayanand has directed authorities to set up a committee ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi. The committee will consist of the executive officer, gram panchayat PDO and tahsildar to grant permission for Ganesh Chaturthi pandals. Moreover, the committee will implement a ban on the Plaster of Paris Ganesha idols.

On Friday, Dayanand participated in a meeting with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath to prepare for Ganesh Chaturthi. Dayanand stated to TNIE that the main telos of the committee is to ensure peaceful celebrations.

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Ambulances, Emergency Teams To Be Deployed At Lakes

KN Dayanand informed TNIE that teams have been specifically directed to ensure the water bodies aren’t polluted. The committee will strictly implement a ban on PoP Ganesha idols being immersed in water bodies in Bengaluru. As per Dayanad, a few idols have already been seized. To ensure the safety of people who will visit lakes and tanks to immerse in the Ganesha idols, Girinath has told officials to make sure fire and emergency teams, divers, home guards and ambulances are set up at lakes.

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Expecting massive processions, engineers have been told to fill potholes ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi. To prevent any electricity-related emergencies, the chief commissioner has also asked officials to deploy a team from the electricity department. All assembly constituencies will have mobile immersion tanks for ease of convenience.

Bengalureans, how are you celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi this year?

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons