Bombay High Court urges alternatives for safer Ganpati idol immersion

Mumbai, July 24, 2025 The Bombay High Court has asked the Maharashtra government and BMC to explore the possibility of building larger artificial tanks. These tanks would accommodate Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganpati idols up to eight feet tall. The directive comes amid rising concerns about environmental damage during idol immersion. The court also questioned whether this step could help reduce the ecological impact of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

The directive came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking enforcement of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines. These guidelines, issued in May 2020, advise on safe idol immersion practices. These guidelines discourage the immersion of PoP idols in rivers, lakes, and seas.A CPCB note dated May 21, 2020, stated that the rules are “advisory in nature.” However, the Chief Justice emphasized that states must still take necessary regulatory actions.

During the hearing, Advocate General Birendra Saraf told the court that current guidelines allow households to immerse Ganpati idols up to five feet tall in artificial tanks. He addressed the bench, led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor. Saraf noted that Mumbai sees over 2 lakh Ganpati idols every year. Of these, more than 7,000 idols are taller than five feet. The judges expressed concern over the large number of idols above five feet. “Even if 7,000 idols are immersed in natural water bodies, the environmental hazard is real,” said the CJ. The bench noted that PoP idols do not dissolve immediately, potentially harming marine ecosystems. They emphasized that artificial tanks could offer a sustainable alternative.

Statistics submitted in court show Mumbai had 1,95,306 idols below 5 feet, 3,865 idols between 5–10 feet, and 3,998 idols above 10 feet last year. Saraf was asked whether all idols up to 10 feet could be accommodated in artificial tanks. He responded, “The whole tank will get occupied by one idol,” but agreed that PoP idols take time to dissolve, necessitating immediate removal.

Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya asked pointedly, “Can authorities create separate tanks for larger idols? Can they reserve some specifically for sarvajanik (community) mandals?” The bench emphasized that while the logistics may be difficult, the administration can still implement such solutions with proper planning.“It is doable. Come and tell us,” the court directed. The High Court also asked the state to improve coordination between civic bodies, mandals, and pollution control boards. The goal is to ensure proper disposal of Ganpati idols. With Ganesh Chaturthi approaching, attention now turns to whether the BMC can act quickly. It must implement eco-friendly alternatives and protect Mumbai’s already-stressed water bodies.

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