BMC to Recycle 2,850 Tonnes of PoP Ganpati Idol Waste After High Court Order

Following Bombay High Court directions, the BMC has established an integrated system to retrieve, store and scientifically process Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganpati idols after immersion. The civic body plans to appoint an agency to process approximately 2,850 metric tonnes of retrieved PoP material for productive reuse.

Under the new Standard Operating Procedure, ward assistant commissioners must retrieve immersed idols from artificial ponds, tanks and water bodies within 24 hours of immersion. Retrieved idols will be transported to a designated Mulund storage facility using covered vehicles and cranes. The BMC has invited Expressions of Interest from agencies and technology providers for processing, with methods including calcination, chemical disintegration and other scientifically validated approaches.

Processed material can be reused in idol-making, plaster boards, ceramics, medical plaster, bricks and cement industry applications. Ward-wise records, weighbridge entries and photographic documentation will ensure accountability, with daily monitoring by assistant commissioners. The EOI submission deadline is September 29.