Bangalore, August 25, 2013: Ahead of the Ganesh festival, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has issued guidelines on idol immersions and has appealed to citizens to celebrate the festival in an eco-friendly manner.

The BBMP has said the festival-related activities must not be extended beyond 11 days. A curfew of 10.30 p.m. has also been set for festivities and immersions throughout the city.

Mayor Venkatesh Murthy and BBMP Commissioner M. Lakshminarayana said the rules would be enforced to check pollution. The Mayor also appealed to citizens to ensure that they used only clay or eco-friendly idols. He warned of strict action against those manufacturing idols made of plaster of Paris or laden with toxic paints. “I have instructed zonal-level officers to check sale of non eco-friendly idols,” he said.

Mr. Lakshminarayana said the civic authority would strictly enforce the 11-day deadline. In a release, the BBMP appealed to citizens to immerse idols at the designated spots. The major lakes where immersions are expected to take place in large numbers include Ulsoor, Sankey, Yediyur and Saneguruvanahalli. In addition, 88 mobile immersion tanks will pass through designated routes in the city. Appeals have also been made to ensure that puja material is not dumped on roads and around temples in the city.

Source: The Hindu, August 25, 2013