BMC to deploy manpower, machinery to collect and process PoP idols during Ganesh festival
BMC stated that it would set up processing centres and recycling units across Mumbai based on Bombay High Court's order to recycle Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols.
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According to the detailed SOP, the idols will be retrieved either manually or with the help of machines. (Source: File)Following the Bombay High Court’s order to recycle Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols during the upcoming Ganesh festival, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced on Friday that it would set up processing centres and recycling units across Mumbai. The civic body has also issued a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), stating that all the immersed idols will be immediately retrieved from the water bodies as they will not be allowed to remain submerged for a prolonged period, reducing the risk of water pollution.
According to the detailed SOP, the idols will be retrieved either manually or with the help of machines.
Amid environmental threats posed by the immersion of idols, the High Court has recently lifted the immersion ban, and asked the government to implement measures for eco-friendly immersion practices.
“The Bombay High Court, in its recent order on July 24, had explicitly emphasised the need for an expert scientific committee to suggest methods for the reuse and recycling of PoP idols. The same is under consideration, and in view of the above, following the set of SOP along with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines shall be applied to the process of retrieval of immersed idol at the zone level and transportation to construction debris waste processing facility at Dahisar and Shilphata,” the BMC order said.
The civic body further explained that all idols will be immediately removed from the water within 24 hours. The smaller idols will be retrieved immediately, while the larger ones will be retrieved using cranes or other machines, it stated.
BMC would clear the idols from the water bodies by employing labourers in a 12-hour shift where the dumper trucks transporting the retrieved idols would be paid Rs 8,800-Rs 9,700 for each shift. The dumper truck shall have a minimum capacity to transport 18,500 kg with a tarpaulin covering.
“The cost includes the labour charge, driver’s fare, fuel and toll charges, parking fee, and insurance charges. A minimum of three labourers shall be used for loading and unloading of the idols into the vehicles,” an officer said.
He maintained that an estimate will be prepared based on these rates and ward-level officers will invite tenders for the vehicles.
“Ward-level recycling units will collect and sort the idols after the immersion. If it is seen that they could be sorted at the local level, it will be done so, or else they will be sent to the C and D facilities at Dahisar or Shilphata (Thane) for final processing. The cost of the entire process will be funded by BMC,” said the officer.
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