CS tells Utsav panel 15-ft height limit of Ganesh idols

As per the directive of the Hyderabad High Court, Telangana Chief Secretary Dr Rajiv Sharma held a high-level meeting with the officials and members of the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi (BGUS) and discussed the height of Ganesh idols, reduction of pollution, usage of natural colors and avoiding use of plaster of paris. Dr Rajiv Sharma appealed to the BGUS members to cooperate with the administration for the smooth conduct of the immersion of the Ganesh idols in the Hussainasagar and other water bodies. He briefed the members about the observations of the High Court and asked the members to discuss with their committee members the height restriction of the Ganesh idols up to 15 feet in view of the metro rail construction work and for the free flow of traffic. He also asked the BGUS members to submit their views on the height of Ganesh idols. The Chief Secretary directed the Pollution Control Board officials to conduct awareness campaigns in a phased manner with idol manufacturers on the usage of natural colors and also to promote usage of clay idols. He further directed the officials concerned to take steps to reduce the impact of pollution in the lakes by promoting eco-friendly Ganesh idols. M G Gopal, Special Chief Secretary MA&UD, S K Joshi, Special Chief Secretary Irrigation, B R Meena, Principal Secretary, Environment, Forests, Science & Technology, Rajiv Trivedi, Principal Secretary Home, B Janardhan Reddy, Commissioner, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Anil Kumar, Secretary, Pollution Control Board, T V Shashidhar Reddy, Joint Commissioner of Police, Dr Bhagvanth Rao, general secretary, Bhagyangar Ganesh Utsav Samithi, K Mahender, secretary, BGUS, were present.