Members of Sai Darshan Mitra Mandal transport the Malad Khetwadi Cha Raja Ganpati idol to their pandal ahead of the Maghi Ganesh Jayanti Utsav, at Western Express Highway in Kandivali (East) on Saturday. (PICS/SATEJ SHINDE)
Updated On: 2025-01-25 07:20 PM IST
Compiled by : Divya Nair
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a circular granting permission for setting up pandals for Maghi Ganesh Utsav
According to the circular, mandals must submit an undertaking that they will only use eco-friendly idols
The festival will be celebrated from February 1
As per BMC’s directive, sarvajanik mandals are required to submit an affidavit confirming that they will not install idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP)
Similarly, it is mandatory for households to celebrate with eco-friendly idols
The BMC has also advised citizens to immerse Ganpati idols either in their homes or in artificial ponds arranged by the BMC in their colonies
In May 2020, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) issued guidelines banning POP idols, which are known to cause significant pollution in water bodies. In August 2024, the Bombay High Court ruled that only non-POP Ganesh idols should be used
