Immersion of Khairatabad Ganesh idol, the Gordian knot

GHMC clueless with HC directing not to immerse PoP idols in the city’s lakes

GHMC has found itself in a tight spot with regard to immersion of the mammoth Ganesh idol from Khairatabad, following the Telangana High Court’s refusal to allow immersion in Hussainsagar.

While the government has reportedly appealed to the Supreme Court for revision of the High Court’s directions not to immerse the idols made of plaster of Paris (PoP) in the city’s lakes, authorities are clueless about the outcome of the appeal. One apprehension is that the apex court may not pay heed to the government’s request, as any direction in favour of immersion in Hussainsagar could have ramifications across the country, even in cities where the governments could successfully replace clay idols with PoP.

As per the information received up to Tuesday evening, the special leave petition by the GHMC Commissioner is yet to be admitted by the Supreme Court. As the customary ninth day, when majority of the idols will be immersed is only four days away, the government has not made public any alternative arrangements. Based on the High Court’s directions, the baby pond created near the Sanjeevaiah Park on the Necklace Road should be the immersion site for all idols arriving at Hussainsagar. The baby pond, however, is 60 feet in width and only 15 to 20 feet in depth, and it could be a herculean task to drown the 40-foot standing ‘Panchamukha Ganapati’ of Khairatabad in it.