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Bombay HC Issues Notice To State On Plea For Enforcing CPCB’s Ban On Plaster Of Paris Idols

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Bombay HC Issues Notice To State On Plea For Enforcing CPCB's Ban On Plaster Of Paris Idols

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the State government on a plea seeking implementation of the revised guidelines by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) which mandates a complete ban on the use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) for religious idols to be immersed in water.

The CPCB had issued “Revised Guidelines for Idol Immersion” on May 12, 2020 mandating the complete ban on use of PoP “due to the extreme and irreparable water pollution caused by the immersion of these idols in natural water bodies”.

A bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar issued the notice while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, filed by three citizens and nine clay-based and small scale craftsman of idols, contending that the actions undertaken by the Respondent Authorities to enforce the Guidelines are “farcical measures designed only to pay lip-service to the provisions of the Guidelines”.

Petitioners’ advocate Ronita Bhattacharya submitted that despite the CPCB ban in 2020, which was to come into effect in 2021, the state is dilly dallying in its implementation to appease manufacturers of PoP idols. Even the Supreme Court had categorically said that manufacture of PoP idols and its immersion in water cannot be permitted.

“Despite this, it is not being effectively implemented in Maharashtra. The ban should be made mandatory under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, which invites penal provisions if not followed,” Bhattacharya said.

The Act requires registration of non-PoP idol makers and the list has to be published so people are aware of the same. However, no steps have been taken in the regard. The CPCB recommended using eco-friendly idols made of natural clay and biodegradable materials to mitigate these harms. Hence, there is a need to publish a list of idol makers using eco-friendly material.

Bhattacharya pointed out to the court that the Nagpur bench of the HC had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the issue two years back and had issued several directions for implementation of the ban, but directions have not been compiled with.

The Nagpur bench had formed a technical committee to oversee the implementation of the ban. However, the committee has taken upon itself to examine the manner in which the pollution caused by the PoP idols can be mitigated. Also, the minutes of the meeting conducted by the committee reflects that the committee contemplated getting experts’ opinions on the validity of the CPCB ban. “This is ridiculous, as there can be no PoP at all,” Bhattacharya added.

The plea seeks formation of a district level committees for regular checks to ensure effective implementation of the revised CPCB guidelines. Also, action should be taken against idol makers who continue using PoP.

Advocate Tushad Kakalia, appearing for NGO Vanashakti, pointed out that the high court had last year issued a series of directions to ensure no PoP idols were immersed in the natural lake inside the suburban Aarey Milk Colony, which is an eco-sensitive zone.

The court had expanded the scope of the petition to ensure adherence to CPCB guidelines. The NGO has again moved an application for continuation of the directions during the coming Ganesh festival.

The HC has clubbed both the PILs and kept them for hearing in August.

Why idol makers continue using PoP –

PoP for the making of idols is commercially more viable than using clay.

PoP is a cheap material that is easy to use, and keeps the cost of operations low and the margin of profits on making idols high.

Clay suitable for idols is not easy to obtain, is a time consuming material to mould and perfect, and requires a higher degree of skill to manoeuvre.

Disadvantages of PoP –

Has several harmful effects on the environment Including water pollution, soil pollution, damage to the marine ecosystem, waste generation, and environmental degradation.

PoP idols do not dissolve easily in water, leading to the accumulation of non-biodegradable materials and disrupting the aquatic ecosystem.

When immersed in soil, PoP idols release harmful chemicals and heavy metals, contaminating the soil and affecting its fertility.

PoP idols contain chemicals such as Gypsum, Sulphur, Phosphorus, and Magnesium. Chemical paints used for colouring idols may contain Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic, Lead, and Carbon, which are harmful to the nervous system and kidneys.

These heavy chemicals have bio-accumulative properties and can enter the food cycle through aquatic creatures like fish, ultimately affecting human consumption.

Non-biodegradable materials like plastics and thermocol used in idol decoration pose a threat to terrestrial and aquatic environments when immersed in water bodies.

Business

GreenLine flags off LNG truck fleet for Bekaert to drive sustainable logistics

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Mumbai, April 24: GreenLine Mobility Solutions Ltd., an Essar venture and India’s only green logistics operator of LNG and electric-powered heavy commercial trucks, has partnered with Bekaert, a global leader in tire reinforcement technology, to decarbonise road logistics and support India’s vision of a gas-based economy.

The partnership was flagged off with the deployment of GreenLine’s LNG-powered trucks at Bekaert’s Ranjangaon Plant, marking the beginning of a pilot phase that aims to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of Bekaert’s logistics operations.

Each GreenLine LNG truck is expected to reduce up to 24 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, contributing to Bekaert’s ambition of becoming carbon net-zero by 2050 and achieving 65 per cent of sales from sustainable solutions.

Commenting on the partnership, Anand Mimani, CEO, GreenLine Mobility Solutions Ltd, said, “Our partnership with Bekaert demonstrates the growing commitment of forward-thinking corporates to drive sustainability at scale. At GreenLine, we are proud to offer not just green trucks, but an integrated ecosystem — from LNG refuelling to real-time telematics — that empowers our partners to make meaningful progress on their net-zero goals.”

Dinesh Mukhedkar, Procurement Operations Lead — South Asia and Procurement Global Shared Service Centre Lead, Bekaert, added, “As part of our purpose ‘Establishing the new possible,’ and our ambition to lead in safe, smart, and sustainable solutions, decarbonising logistics is an essential step. This directly supports our commitment to ESG principles and long-term sustainability goals.”

GreenLine’s expanding fleet of LNG-powered trucks has already clocked more than 40 million km, avoiding over 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. The company’s ongoing expansion includes plans to deploy over 10,000 LNG and EV trucks, supported by a nationwide network of 100 LNG refuelling stations, EV charging hubs, and battery swapping facilities — targeting a reduction of 1 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

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Maharashtra

Kashmir Pahalgam attack victims return by special plane; CM Devendra Fadnavis condemns terrorist attacks

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Mumbai: After the Kashmir Pahalgam terrorist attack, the process of bringing tourists from Kashmir to Maharashtra and Mumbai by special aircraft has been started. The victims will be brought back by a special IndiGo plane and the government will bear the entire expenses, this was informed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He said that tourists have been targeted in Pahalgam and it is very sad that they were targeted by asking about their religion. It is too little to condemn. He said that contact with the victims is ongoing and help is also being provided through social media and SMS. In addition, the victims trapped in Pahalgam will be brought to Mumbai as soon as possible. The bodies of the victims of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam have been brought to Mumbai and Pune airports. Along with this, I hope that the Prime Minister will find the mastermind of this terrorist attack and teach him a lesson.

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Maharashtra

Pahalgam Terror Attack Mumbai Police Alert, Controversial post goes viral on social media, police eye on communal elements

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Mumbai: After the Pahalgam terrorist attacks, Mumbai is also on high alert. Special security arrangements have been made in Mumbai city. Security has been tightened at important places and installations and religious places. Orders have also been issued to all zonal DCPs and senior police inspectors to remain alert, along with increased patrolling of patrolling squads. Mumbai Police is fully prepared and alert to maintain law and order in Mumbai city. A watch is also being kept on miscreants. Apart from this, all senior officers have also been ordered to remain alert and keep a watch on their constituencies, Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Pansalkar has said.

Muslims have also condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attacks, along with this, this cowardly attack is also being called a failure of intelligence because at the time when the terrorists carried out this attack, there was no security force or personnel present. This is the biggest terrorist attack in Pahalgam after the abrogation of Article 370, so Mumbai Police is also on alert after the Pahalgam attack. In addition, an alert has been issued across Maharashtra. The police are reviewing the situation at the district level. Along with Mumbai Police, Maharashtra Police has also started monitoring social media after this attack.

Controversial posts are also being made public regarding the attack and an attempt has been made to target a section on social media over this attack and the process of creating a hateful atmosphere has been prolonged. Social media is also being monitored in Mumbai city, along with this, social media is also taking action on such controversial posts. In the same context as the terrorists targeted a specific community in Pahalgam and killed them by asking about their religion, attempts to create a hateful atmosphere on social media have become common. Communal elements are trying to link this attack to a specific community and the religion of Islam, and the Mumbai Police and agencies are also keeping an eye on the communalists.

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