The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will not permit the installation or worship of Ganesh idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) during this year’s Gowri-Ganesha festival, Chief Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao said on Tuesday, September 1. The GBA chief urged residents to opt for eco-friendly idols, citing the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board’s prohibition on PoP idols because of their environmental impact.
“Under no circumstances will permission be granted for the installation of PoP Ganesh idols,” he said.
The announcement was made at a ‘Peace and Harmony’ meeting held at Puttanna Chetty Town Hall by the GBA and Bengaluru City Police ahead of the festival on September 14. The meeting focused on ensuring that celebrations and processions are conducted peacefully while minimising inconvenience to the public.
Maheshwar said the civic authorities were making arrangements at designated immersion points and temporary tanks near lakes. Responding to concerns that these facilities could close early, he said devotees arriving late would also be allowed to immerse their idols.
Adequate staff would be deployed at the immersion facilities, he said. The GBA will also consider setting up immersion facilities at other locations if citizens request them.
The civic body will undertake repairs to roads and footpaths along procession and immersion routes wherever necessary. Tree trimming, streetlight repairs and electrical works will also be carried out, while unauthorised cables that could obstruct processions will be removed.
Maheshwar said officials from the civic body, police and Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) would coordinate at the police-station level to ensure arrangements are in place for the festival. He said alternative arrangements would be made if problems arise at any of the designated facilities.
To simplify the permission process for public celebrations, the GBA will establish single-window centres at the sub-divisional offices of its five city corporations. Officials from the civic body, police, BESCOM and Fire and Emergency Services will be available at these centres.
Organisers seeking to install Ganesh idols will be able to approach the centres and obtain the required permissions at a single location. The GBA said the addresses of the centres and details of the nodal officers will be published on its website shortly.
Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said the police would make security arrangements in coordination with other departments and take steps to ensure that celebrations do not cause inconvenience to residents.
He said organisers would have to strictly adhere to designated procession routes and timings, particularly as traffic congestion is expected to increase during the festival.
“It is extremely important that Ganeshotsava processions begin at the scheduled time. As traffic congestion is likely to increase in the city, necessary directions will be issued regarding procession routes and timings to ensure that traffic movement is not disrupted. Organisers and the public must strictly follow these directions,” he said.
Seemanth warned that legal action would be taken against those who violate the prescribed rules or cause inconvenience to the public. Police will also act against people participating in processions after consuming alcohol.
Citizens at the meeting sought more temporary immersion facilities, tighter enforcement of loudspeaker timings and measures to prevent electrical accidents during the celebrations. They also raised concerns over traffic congestion during processions.
The police and civic authorities said they would coordinate with the relevant departments to address these concerns and ensure that arrangements are in place along procession and immersion routes.
Maheshwar said the aim was to allow residents to celebrate the festival while ensuring environmental safeguards, public safety and orderly movement across the city.
“During Ganeshotsava, police personnel will work round the clock and take all necessary measures to ensure that the festival is celebrated peacefully. Let us all come together and celebrate Ganeshotsava in a grand and orderly manner,” he said.