Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD/EP)

Udupi, Sep 12: The deputy commissioner of Udupi, Dr Vidyakumari K, has taken a decisive stance on the issue of pollution arising from Ganapathi idols. It has come to light that during inspections of idol manufacturing units and sales outlets, officials from the Pollution Control Board discovered that these idols are being produced using banned plaster of Paris (POP) and subsequently painted.

In response to this environmental concern, Vidyakumari K, along with the municipal commissioner and chief executive, has issued directives to the Town Panchayat. These directives call for the immediate confiscation of such idols, which are to be subsequently disposed of in designated landfill sites utilizing shredding technology.

The deputy commissioner has further instructed all local government organizations to initiate legal action against those individuals and entities found manufacturing idols in violation of the established regulations. To facilitate the execution of these directives at the grassroots level, the Project Director from the Office of District Urban Development has been designated as the nodal officer.

In light of these measures, Udupi is taking proactive steps to address the environmental impact associated with the use of banned POP materials in the production of Ganapathi idols.