The Tamil Nadu government has assured the National Green Tribunal that Ganesh idol immersion will not be permitted at Chennai’s Foreshore Estate and Neelankarai beaches from next year.
The assurance came during the hearing of a petition seeking directions to prevent Ganesh idol immersion in water bodies because of the environmental damage caused by the practice.
Because of the environmental damage caused by the practice, the assurance came during the hearing of a petition seeking directions to prevent Ganesh idol immersion in water bodies. The government has also assured the tribunal that it will aim to stop idol immersion in natural water bodies from 2027, while following directions and rules issued by the Supreme Court, Madras High Court and the NGT.
A Chennai Corporation report submitted before the tribunal said consultations with the police and other government departments had flagged law-and-order, traffic and logistical challenges in moving large numbers of idols to alternative immersion points.
The exact scope of the statewide measure is expected to be clarified in an affidavit to be filed before the tribunal.
