District administrations identify 29 irrigation tanks for idol immersion as part of Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations

The district administration has identified 29 water bodies, mostly irrigation tanks maintained by Water Resources Department (WRD), in Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur, and Tiruvannamalai districts for idol immersion as part of Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations.

Officials of Vellore Corporation said encroachments, mostly roadside shops and extension of existing shops, along the procession routes will be demolished to ensure safety of participants. “Corporation staff will erect wooden barricades near the water bodies and pathways to allow safe immersion of idols by devotees,” A. Sultana, Commissioner, Vellore Corporation, told The Hindu.

Accompanied by Ms. Sultana, Collector P.S. Leela Alex inspected Saduperi lake, one of the largest water bodies maintained by the Corporation, to ensure that all safety measures were in place for idol immersion.

During immersion of idols, a team of police personnel will be deployed in identified water bodies to ensure safety of participants. As part of safety measures, the police team will also ensure that idol immersion takes place near the bund of the lakes. The entire procession will be captured on camera.

Corporation officials said that as most of the identified water bodies were maintained by the WRD, strict guidelines were issued to organisers of the events to prevent contamination of water in these lakes. These water bodies were mostly used for irrigation and recharge of groundwater in the area. Local bodies also dug borewells around the bund of these lakes to supply water for its residents.

In Tiruvannamalai district, 11 water bodies, including Thamarai Kulam, Polur lake, Singarapettai lake, Konarirayan Kulam, Aithu Kaan Varapathi lake, and Bhuma Chetty Kulam would be allowed to be used for idol immersion. In Ranipet, two water bodies each in Ranipet, Arcot, and Arakkonam towns were identified for the purpose.

Adhiyur (Tirupattur town), Kallukuttai (Natrampalli), Santrorkuppam (Ambur), Ponneri (Jolar Pettai), and Pallipattu (Vaniyambadi) were among six lakes in Tirupattur district. Four lakes in Vellore and Gudiyatham towns would be allowed for idol immersion.

TNPCB officials said that idols made up of natural, biodegradable, eco-friendly raw materials without any toxic, inorganic raw materials such as traditional virtuous clay and mud and those free from plaster of Paris (PoP), plastic, and thermocol (polystyrene) would be permitted for safe immersion in water bodies.

 Dried flower components and straw should be used for making ornaments of idols. Any use of toxic and non-biodegradable chemical dyes, oil paints for painting idols was strictly prohibited, TNPCB officials said.