BANGALORE: If the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's (BBMP) plans are implemented, think twice before picking up the glossy, shining Ganesha idols glaring at you. The Palike is planning to impose ban on immersion of Plaster of Paris idols in their tanks.Deputy Mayor S Harish visited some of the manufacturing units in Bangalore on Saturday. On his visit, he noted that most of these manufacturers use Plaster of Paris and glossy paints to make the idols, which are harmful to the lakes.The deputy mayor first visited one such manufacturers on RV Road. When found such idols were pollutants, he warned to seize the idols and advised them to use vegetable paints henceforth.Srinivasa, owner of a Ganesha manufacturing unit says that he is in this profession for the past 66 years. “For 60 years, we used to make Ganesha from mud. Gradually, people started preferring idols made of Plaster of Paris. If we do not make it, people buy it from elsewhere. We used to make around 10,000 Ganesha idols in mud, but at the end of sale, around 3,000 Ganeshas would not have buyers. This was a huge loss for us,” he explained.According to Srinivasa, the idols of Ganesha are made throughout the year, in 11-months’ duration. “We start making the idols after the Ganesha festival itself. Our idols vary from Rs 10-Rs 20,000. We make according to people’s requirements,” he added.Naveen, another Ganesha idol maker, said that they need at least 20-days to make idols made of mud, whereas it takes 15 days for Plastic of Paris. “Making Ganesha idols from Plastic of Paris is feasible,” he noted.After inspecting idol manufacturing units at Pottery Town, Harish said that despite BBMP and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board’s warning, manufacturers make idols which are not environmental friendly.“I have ordered health officers to seize toxic paints. We cannot take action against what has been done so far. But the remaining Ganesha idols that are made in future, should be coloured with non-toxic colours,” the deputy mayor said.Harish further said that he will discuss the matter with Mayor and other officials to bring a resolution for Ganesha idol immersion.
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