BENGALURU: A senior official from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has said that it will not be possible to implement a complete ban on the PoP Ganesha idols.
“We have instructed the officials to enforce the ban but it is difficult to achieve a 100% ban. We have brought down the percentage of the usage of PoP idols and expect people to adopt clay idols. Last year, we achieved a 65% ban so naturally this year we will be aiming higher,” the official said.
Meanwhile, idol-makers maintain that there is a demand for PoP idols as it brings pomp which is absent in clay idols.
“The demand for clay idols has to pick up. One of the major issues with PoP idols is the colour which we have been told is harmful. Moreover, clay models are very fragile and not durable. It needs attention during monsoon. Clay idols are expensive as well,” said Lawrence, one of the idol-makers at Pottery Town.
Officials from KSPCB, BWSSB, BESCOM, city police and BBMP had convened a meeting in the first week of August to chalk out a plan on how to stop the sale and making of PoP idols.
