Bengaluru: They pop up again and again!

Bengaluru: After last year’s drive to against use of plaster of paris (PoP) Ganesha idols failed to curb the menace, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board along with BBMP officials have once again launched a massive crackdown at several places in the city and seized more than 900 such idols.

However, PoP idols are being reportedly sold at Magadi Road, Banashankari, Wilson Garden, Kanakapura and Mysuru Road.

“We are selling PoP idols as the demand is much higher than clay. We will suffer huge loss if we don’t sell PoP idols. Many opt for such idols for its grandeur,” said Rajendran, an idol seller at Banashankari.

He also revealed that though the festival is celebrated with equal fervour in Maharashtra and Karnataka, a large number of PoP idols are reportedly being smuggled from the neighbouring state.

However, citizens along with temples are batting for clay idols this year. Kumbhakaaraha Pottery studio has priced its Ganesha idols, 9 and 11 inches high at Rs 500 and Rs 600 respectively. The idols manufactured by Mrs Chitra is exquisitely handcrafted with pure clay and no chemical or paint is used.

KSPCB is firmly against the use of chemicals in any form as the paint affects the aquatic life. “We have sent a few idols for tests. Even the idols made from papier mache have chemical paints over them. This is against the norms laid down by Central Pollution Control Board,” a senior KSPCB official said.