The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to come up with a policy to ensure natural water bodies are not polluted due to idol immersion. In a recent intra-body meeting with civic officials, a senior asked for suggestions to prevent pollution caused by materials immersed in the water, especially during the festive season.

A report in this paper quoted an anonymous official speaking about how they have been told to frame this policy. What is heartening is that there is a definite timeline given to the civic officials to come up with a viable policy so that it can be implemented for next year’s Ganeshotsav. We have an example of the Board getting to work early, by giving our officials enough time to plan for this and then finally implement it in time for next year’s festival.