Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation urges citizens to not buy PoP Ganesh idols

NAVI MUMBAI: For the upcoming Ganpati festival while many restrictions such as the height of sarvajanik (community) idols have been removed by the state government, NMMC has issued precautionary guidelines to devotees, especially those who will bring idols to their homes.
The civic body has advised citizens to avoid using PoP (Plaster of Paris) idols, and instead opt for eco-friendly clay Ganpatis.
``The height of home Ganpati idols should be less than two feet, and in case they are made of PoP, then they will have to be separately immersed in special tanks, so that the natural water bodies do not get affected,'' said a civic official.
NMMC commissioner also urged devotees to ensure safety for themselves, in case they are inside a crowded sarvajanik mandal, and wear masks if required.
After two years of pandemic, the festival is slated to be celebrated with more fervour this year on August 31.
Civic officials added that they will open up citizen-friendly offices in all the eight wards to assist devotees with any administrative or technical issues.
``Last year, the NMMC had started online slot bookings for immersions of idols in order to prevent crowds or a long waiting queue at the immersion sites. This year too an online portal will be made available for the benefit of the pandals and the devotees,'' a city activist informed.
Last year, the NMMC had prepared a total of 151 artificial immersion ponds in all the eight wards in order to further boost crowd management. Similar steps will be undertaken this year as well.
For more information, citizens can visit their local ward offices or NMMC's website.