Navi Mumbai Civic Body Under Fire for Allowing Natural Immersion of Clay Idols Despite HC Order

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has come under scrutiny for allegedly allowing selective immersion of clay idols in natural water bodies, despite setting up 170 artificial immersion ponds for Ganeshotsav 2026. Sajag Nagrik Manch, a citizens' organisation, has raised objections, stating that civic staff at immersion sites were distinguishing between Plaster of Paris and shadu clay idols—directing PoP idols to artificial ponds while permitting clay idols in natural lakes.

The organisation cited a Bombay High Court order dated July 24, 2025, in the PIL case Rohit Manohar Joshi and Others versus the State of Maharashtra, which mandates that all idols below six feet in height—regardless of material—must be immersed only in artificial water tanks. Sajag Nagrik Manch has called on the Navi Mumbai administration to install clear signboards at all immersion sites and ensure strict compliance with the court's directions.