Following complaints about the delay in clearing Ganesha idols from immersion tanks and ponds, the BBMP has for the first time, formed special teams to remove them a day after immersion.
BBMP Joint Commissioner for Health and Solid Waste Management (SWM), Sarfaraz Khan, told DH, "Every year, it used to take three to four days and more to lift the immersed idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP), due to logistical issues. In Ulsoor, the idols used to be cleared 11 days after the immersion. This year, we have formed special teams at immersion points. Resident Welfare Associations ( RWAs) will closely coordinate with us."
Ulsoor lake, where about one lakh idols were immersed last year, will have a special team of about 100 members, including local volunteers, life guards, Palike officials and labourers among others. Similarly, Sankey tank, that witnessed immersion of 35,000 idols last year, will have a special team comprising about 40 members.
At lakes like Yediyur, Hebbal and Ulsoor, a crane would be deployed to lift the idols . "We have instructed ward engineers and RWAs to ensure segregation of wet waste and dry waste so that garbage does not pile up. For the first time, we will hand over part of the lifted idols to Rock Crystals, a stone crusher dealer," he said.
Green warriors
To encourage people to use eco-friendly idols, 65 students from St Joseph's College have been actively campaigning in the last few days. Outreach Co-ordinator Brother Philip said students distributed pamphlets and held placards at 16 traffic signals like Richmond Circle, Silk Board and Town Hall to raise awareness.
Another green warrior Niyati Mavinkurve, has started the 'One Less Waste Flower' initiative, where she is asking residents via social media to compost flower waste this Ganapathi season.
She said: "This is an open event. The flowers dumped from the festival can be chopped and added to the compost. Alternatively, one can add these flowers to a flower pot at home and prevent them from ending up in landfills."
SWM Expert Committee member, NS Ramakanth, who single-handedly monitored the waste generated during the last Ganesha festival at Sankey tank, said he hopes the use of PoP models would come down this year, given the workshops and awareness programmes conducted by the Palike with like-minded volunteers.
BBMP Joint Commissioner for Health and Solid Waste Management (SWM), Sarfaraz Khan, told DH, "Every year, it used to take three to four days and more to lift the immersed idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP), due to logistical issues. In Ulsoor, the idols used to be cleared 11 days after the immersion. This year, we have formed special teams at immersion points. Resident Welfare Associations ( RWAs) will closely coordinate with us."
Ulsoor lake, where about one lakh idols were immersed last year, will have a special team of about 100 members, including local volunteers, life guards, Palike officials and labourers among others. Similarly, Sankey tank, that witnessed immersion of 35,000 idols last year, will have a special team comprising about 40 members.
At lakes like Yediyur, Hebbal and Ulsoor, a crane would be deployed to lift the idols . "We have instructed ward engineers and RWAs to ensure segregation of wet waste and dry waste so that garbage does not pile up. For the first time, we will hand over part of the lifted idols to Rock Crystals, a stone crusher dealer," he said.
Green warriors
To encourage people to use eco-friendly idols, 65 students from St Joseph's College have been actively campaigning in the last few days. Outreach Co-ordinator Brother Philip said students distributed pamphlets and held placards at 16 traffic signals like Richmond Circle, Silk Board and Town Hall to raise awareness.
Another green warrior Niyati Mavinkurve, has started the 'One Less Waste Flower' initiative, where she is asking residents via social media to compost flower waste this Ganapathi season.
She said: "This is an open event. The flowers dumped from the festival can be chopped and added to the compost. Alternatively, one can add these flowers to a flower pot at home and prevent them from ending up in landfills."
SWM Expert Committee member, NS Ramakanth, who single-handedly monitored the waste generated during the last Ganesha festival at Sankey tank, said he hopes the use of PoP models would come down this year, given the workshops and awareness programmes conducted by the Palike with like-minded volunteers.
Following complaints about the delay in clearing Ganesha idols from immersion tanks and ponds, the BBMP has for the first time, formed special teams to remove them a day after immersion.
BBMP Joint Commissioner for Health and Solid Waste Management (SWM), Sarfaraz Khan, told DH, "Every year, it used to take three to four days and more to lift the immersed idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP), due to logistical issues. In Ulsoor, the idols used to be cleared 11 days after the immersion. This year, we have formed special teams at immersion points. Resident Welfare Associations ( RWAs) will closely coordinate with us."
Ulsoor lake, where about one lakh idols were immersed last year, will have a special team of about 100 members, including local volunteers, life guards, Palike officials and labourers among others. Similarly, Sankey tank, that witnessed immersion of 35,000 idols last year, will have a special team comprising about 40 members.
At lakes like Yediyur, Hebbal and Ulsoor, a crane would be deployed to lift the idols . "We have instructed ward engineers and RWAs to ensure segregation of wet waste and dry waste so that garbage does not pile up. For the first time, we will hand over part of the lifted idols to Rock Crystals, a stone crusher dealer,” he said.
Green warriors
To encourage people to use eco-friendly idols, 65 students from St Joseph’s College have been actively campaigning in the last few days. Outreach Co-ordinator Brother Philip said students distributed pamphlets and held placards at 16 traffic signals like Richmond Circle, Silk Board and Town Hall to raise awareness.
Another green warrior Niyati Mavinkurve, has started the 'One Less Waste Flower’ initiative, where she is asking residents via social media to compost flower waste this Ganapathi season.
She said: "This is an open event. The flowers dumped from the festival can be chopped and added to the compost. Alternatively, one can add these flowers to a flower pot at home and prevent them from ending up in landfills.”
SWM Expert Committee member, NS Ramakanth, who single-handedly monitored the waste generated during the last Ganesha festival at Sankey tank, said he hopes the use of PoP models would come down this year, given the workshops and awareness programmes conducted by the Palike with like-minded volunteers.
BBMP Joint Commissioner for Health and Solid Waste Management (SWM), Sarfaraz Khan, told DH, "Every year, it used to take three to four days and more to lift the immersed idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP), due to logistical issues. In Ulsoor, the idols used to be cleared 11 days after the immersion. This year, we have formed special teams at immersion points. Resident Welfare Associations ( RWAs) will closely coordinate with us."
Ulsoor lake, where about one lakh idols were immersed last year, will have a special team of about 100 members, including local volunteers, life guards, Palike officials and labourers among others. Similarly, Sankey tank, that witnessed immersion of 35,000 idols last year, will have a special team comprising about 40 members.
At lakes like Yediyur, Hebbal and Ulsoor, a crane would be deployed to lift the idols . "We have instructed ward engineers and RWAs to ensure segregation of wet waste and dry waste so that garbage does not pile up. For the first time, we will hand over part of the lifted idols to Rock Crystals, a stone crusher dealer,” he said.
Green warriors
To encourage people to use eco-friendly idols, 65 students from St Joseph’s College have been actively campaigning in the last few days. Outreach Co-ordinator Brother Philip said students distributed pamphlets and held placards at 16 traffic signals like Richmond Circle, Silk Board and Town Hall to raise awareness.
Another green warrior Niyati Mavinkurve, has started the 'One Less Waste Flower’ initiative, where she is asking residents via social media to compost flower waste this Ganapathi season.
She said: "This is an open event. The flowers dumped from the festival can be chopped and added to the compost. Alternatively, one can add these flowers to a flower pot at home and prevent them from ending up in landfills.”
SWM Expert Committee member, NS Ramakanth, who single-handedly monitored the waste generated during the last Ganesha festival at Sankey tank, said he hopes the use of PoP models would come down this year, given the workshops and awareness programmes conducted by the Palike with like-minded volunteers.