PoP idol immersions only in baby ponds hereafter

HYDERABAD:  Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is making elaborate arrangements for Dasara festivities. As part of it, the civic body has clearly informed festivity organisers that in keeping with orders of the Telangana High Court, no Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols will be immersed in Hussainsagar Lake or other natural water bodies within the city.

Further, all Bathukammas will have to be immersed only at the Bathukamma Ghat in Hussainsagar near Tank Bund. GHMC has already cleaned the 26 baby ponds it made for Ganesh immersion for Goddess Durga idols and Bathukamma immersions.

The corporation has decked up major junctions in the city with large models of Bathukammas made of satin, gerbera, marigold, chrysanthemum and synthetic nylon. In all, it is setting up 130 large-sized Bathukammas at an estimated cost of Rs 16 lakh.

As many as 35 models have been erected in Khairatabad zone, 14 in LB Nagar, 12 in Charminar, 14 in Serilingampally, nine in Kukatpally and 25 in Secunderabad zone. Beautification of important road stretches with decorative lights, including 3D lighting is also going on.

GHMC has established a total 26 baby ponds within various lakes for immersing Durga idols, particularly those made of PoP, apart from Bathukammas. The measure is intended to protect the lakes from pollution by plaster of Paris and synthetic colours used in making of idols.

Cities, such as Bengaluru, had initiated the concept of baby ponds, which also find a mention in Central Pollution Control Board guidelines for immersion of idols, flower and plastic garlands, apart from foliage connected to the idols. The waste generated in these ponds in the twin cities is transported to the landfill in Jawaharnagar.

A senior GHMC official said this would be the last time to allow PoP idols even in baby ponds. He said the corporation will hold a meeting with city police and idol manufacturers to make only eco-friendly idols from next year onwards.