Rajahmundry: In order to discourage the immersion of Ganesh idols made of plaster of Paris (PoP) in the Godavari River, the civic authorities plan to collect between Rs 1,000 and Rs 10,000 in the form of fees from individuals and organisers.
Rs 1,000 will be collected for idols less than five feet in height, Rs 2,000 for idols less than seven feet, Rs 3,000 for idol less than nine feet, Rs 7,500 for idols less than 12 feet, and Rs10,000 for idols over 12 feet in height.
Municipal Commissioner V. Vijay Rama Raju on Monday said that they were trying to persuade the organisers of Ganesh festivities in the city not to install, worship and immerse idols made of PoP and other chemicals which would cause pollution.
The Commissioner appreciated the organisers and individuals who had installed idols made of clay and those who had opted for smaller, more eco-friendly idols which were less likely to pollute the river.
The civic authorities are preparing to visit the Ganesh pandals erected in the city to collect fees from organisers using idols made of PoP and other chemicals. They had previously issued a set of guidelines to the organisers with regard to the installation of idols. They had said that idols were not to be installed in public places which would cause inconvenience to local residents and motorists.
