BMC to classify POP as restricted, purchase to require approval

After the Bombay High Court banned the immersion of Plaster of Paris (POP) Ganesha idols in natural places, now the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also come into action. A BMC official said that we will soon put POP in the 'negative' list. After this, approval will be required to purchase it. The BMC is of the opinion that while purchasing POP, the purpose for which it is being taken should be mentioned.

POP will not be available for sculptors to make statues. At the same time, instructions have been given to the sellers of POP to give POP only after getting approval. Otherwise action will be taken against them. This will automatically put a brake on the production of POP idols.

On January 30, the Bombay High Court had banned the disposal, use and storage of Ganesha idols made of POP in seas, lakes, creeks and other natural water bodies.  As a result, the BMC and police stopped the immersion of Maghi Ganesha idols in the sea and bay in Mumbai. So a lot of controversy was created in Mumbai.

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The Sri Ganesh Murtikar Association is objecting to the High Court's directive and is planning to file a petition in the Supreme Court to allow the construction, use and immersion of the POP idols.

“Union Secretary Suresh Sharma said that we do not intend to disobey the instructions of the High Court, but as we have not been given any option, we are not accepting those instructions. Meanwhile, boards often do not take court and administrative instructions seriously”, said environmentalist Rohit Joshi.

They may approach the Supreme Court, but the guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) cannot be ignored to protect the environment. The BMC administration says it is following the High Court rules. A BMC official said that the POP controversy started in 2013. The CPCB had directed to ban the burying of idols of POP in natural places. The matter then reached the High Court through the state government and the BMC.

Ganesha idols are made in many places in Mumbai. At the same time, a large number of idols and POPs also come from Thane, Mira-Bhayander and Navi Mumbai. One of the biggest challenges facing the BMC is to prevent the POPs from MMR and the idols made from them from entering Mumbai.

A BMC official said the high court's order is for the entire state, but it is most followed in Mumbai. To stop POP and idols made from MMR in Mumbai, BMC will inform the Commissioner and Collector of MMR to ban it.