Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday cleared the way for immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols over six feet in natural water bodies, while directing the State to ensure that the PoP idols up to six feet are mandatorily immersed in artificial water tanks.
A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne clarified that the interim directions will be applicable till March 2026 with regard to all festivals which involve idol immersion. “As the Ganesh festival will be celebrated from August 26 till September 6, we grant permission for immersion this year,” the bench noted.
Interim Guidelines Valid For All Festivals Till March 2026
The court was hearing petitions challenging the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) 2020 guidelines banning both manufacture and immersion of PoP idols in natural water bodies. Initially, a PIL was filed by Thane-based environmentalist Rohit Joshi, through advocate Ronita Bhattacharya, seeking strict implementation of the CPBC guidelines banning immersion of PoP idols in natural water bodies.
Court Rejects Earlier State Policy Allowing 5-Ft Idols In Natural Water
The state government had framed a policy on July 21, allowing immersion of PoP idols up to five feet in height in natural water bodies. However, the court found this insufficient to address the ecological impact and directed the government to amend its policy to raise the restriction threshold to six feet.
“The Court has to ensure that the impact of immersion of idols on the environment is reduced to the minimum,” the bench observed. “We, therefore, direct that all idols made of Plaster of Paris, which are six feet in height, shall necessarily be immersed in artificial water bodies.”
State To Enforce Compliance Through Local Bodies
Advocate General Birendra Saraf informed the court that the state will ensure strict implementation of the amended policy and will issue directions to all local bodies accordingly.
Expert Committee To Be Appointed For PoP Reuse Solutions
He also pointed out that the government is in the process of appointing an expert scientific committee to suggest methods for the reuse and recycling of PoP, and to explore environmentally sustainable ways to dissolve the material post-immersion.
BMC Projects Massive Rise In Artificial Tank Immersions
Senior Advocate Milind Sathe, appearing for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), said that last year 3,865 PoP idols between five and ten feet, and 3,998 idols above ten feet, were immersed in natural water bodies.
By contrast, 85,306 idols under five feet were immersed in artificial tanks. With expanded infrastructure this year, approximately 1.95 lakh idols up to five feet are expected to be immersed in artificial tanks, a jump of over 1.10 lakh idols from last year.
He assured the court that the BMC will make necessary arrangements to accommodate this increase.
Court Urges Promotion Of Smaller, Reusable Idols
The court acknowledged that the state’s revised guidelines were a ”step in the right direction”, but emphasised that stricter enforcement was needed. It also directed local bodies across Maharashtra to promote the installation of smaller idols and encourage reuse of larger ones in future years.
Next Hearing Scheduled In Eight Weeks
Observing that the expert committee must be formed within a month, the court added that the revised guidelines would apply uniformly to all upcoming festivals involving idol immersion until March 2026. The matter will be heard again after eight weeks.
