Ganesh idol makers in fix due to plastic ban

Mumbai: Due to the ban on plastic, hundreds of Ganesh idol makers in the city are battling with a basic problem — how to protect the idols from rains. State government’s ban on plastic — to wrap or store products — has left them scurrying to look for other viable options to cover Ganesh idols during monsoon.

Ganesh Chaturthi falls on September 13 this year. The process of idol making for the festival has already started, with scores of idol makers being busy making idols throughout the city.

According to Ganesh idol makers, demand for clay idols is on the rise in the city and plastic covers are very useful for protecting them from rains during monsoon. But the plastic ban has posed huge problems before them about protecting the idols.

In a letter written to environment minister Ramdas Kadam, Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS) – an umbrella organisation of city Ganesh mandals – has asked to allow temporary use of plastic covers during monsoon.

“Ganesh idol makers have been using plastic covers to protect idols for several years. The clay idols take longer time than the plaster of paris (PoP) idols to dry up. If kept in open, there is a possibility that they would get sullied when exposed to sunlight, air and moisture. Hence, they are kept wrapped in plastic covers. We have written to the state government on allowing clay idol makers to use plastic covers during monsoon,” said Narendra Dahibavkar, president of BSGSS.

“Nowadays even the big idols are made up of clay. How to protect these idols from rains? There are no viable options available for this in the market. If there are rains during the arrival procession, then there will definitely be a problem,” said Avinash Patkar, who makes the clay idol for GSB Seva Mandal.