Ganeshotsav 2025: First Time, BMC To Transport Immersed POP Ganpati Idols To C&D Recycling Plant In Shilphata, Thane

Mumbai: For the first time this year, the BMC will retrieve Plaster of Paris (POP) Ganpati idols and transport all to its construction and demolition (C&D) waste recycling plant. The site is located in Daighar village, Shilphata in Thane district. After collecting all the remaining materials of the POP idols at one place, it will be scientifically disposed/recycled.

Bombay HC Mandates Eco-Friendly Visarjan

The decision comes after the Bombay High court order on mandatory retrieval of POP idols the next day of visarjan and it's scientific disposal, ensuring enviornment-friendly festival celebrations. The POP idols will also be marked with red dot for its easy identification during visarjan.

As per the HC order, POP idols below the height of 6 ft will be immersed in artificial ponds installed by the civic body and the taller idols are allowed to immerse in natural water bodies (sea, river, lake).

BMC to Finalise Scientific Disposal Method

However, the BMC is yet to decide the method on scientific disposal/recycle. "As per the HC order, we have to ensure retrieval and scientific disposal/recycling of the POP idols. The state government will be forming an expert committee and BMC will is also taking guidance from the experts. Once, the methodology is clear, the scientific disposal will be done at our C&D recycling plant at Shilphata," said deputy municipal commissioner (solid waste management) Kiran Dighavkar.

"Considering the massive coastal line of Mumbai and large number of taller Ganpati idols, massive number of POP idols flow back to the sea shore the next day. Until last year, the staff used to immerse the idols in deep sea again or some residents used to bury them. There was no particular standard operating procedures (SOP). From this year, we have set the SOPs, following the HC directives," Dighavkar said.

SOPs in Place for 2025 Ganpati Festival

As per the SOP laid by the BMC, an agency will be appointed by every ward to retrieve the remaining materials of POP idols and transport it to the designated site (Shilphata). Considering the 12 hours shift and distance to the site, the contractors transporting POP idols remains from the city and western suburbs are will be paid Rs 9,628 per 100 kms.

While contractors from eastern suburbs will be paid Rs 8,788 per 80 kms. The POP idols remains will be collected from both artificial ponds and natural water bodies.

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Once the idol remains are collected at the C&D waste recycling plant site, the scientific disposal will be done after the end of 10-day festival. The Ganpati visarjan takes place on second, third, fifth, seventh and 10th day of the festival. The methodology for the scientific disposal will be decided in the next 10-15 days. The 10-day Ganpati festival begins from August 27.