Archive · 17 Sep 2026
MPCB Chairman Urges Eco-Friendly Ganeshotsav Amid Noise and Pollution Concerns
Ganeshotsav is a festival celebrated with idols, music and processions.
The pollution board wants people to celebrate without harming nature or disturbing others.
It says more people used artificial ponds for idol immersions last year.
Mumbai also increased the number of artificial ponds from about 100 to 300.
Fewer household idols made from plaster of Paris were reported.
Loudspeakers must follow noise rules, including a 10 p.m.
deadline.
Dolby sound systems are banned in Maharashtra.
The board also wants families to use clay idols and avoid plastic decorations.
Immersions in artificial ponds increased threefold last year, according to MPCB chairman Siddhesh Kadam.
Mumbai’s artificial ponds increased from about 100 to 300, while household PoP idols declined.
Maharashtra’s 10 p.m. loudspeaker deadline remains in force, and Dolby systems are banned.
MPCB says traditional instruments and quieter celebrations can reduce disturbance during Ganeshotsav.
The board is monitoring air quality, construction-site pollution and festival sustainability across Maharashtra.
- Who
- Maharashtra Pollution Control Board chairman Siddhesh Kadam, civic bodies, police, idol makers and Ganeshotsav organisers.
- What
- Authorities are promoting eco-friendly idol immersions and enforcing rules on loudspeakers, DJs and pollution.
- When
- During the current Ganeshotsav; the cited immersion figures are from last year.
- Where
- Mumbai and across Maharashtra.
- Why
- To reduce water, noise and air pollution while allowing people to celebrate the festival sustainably.
- Artificial-pond immersions
- Immersions increased threefold last year, according to Siddhesh Kadam.
- Mumbai artificial ponds
- The number increased from around 100 to 300.
- PoP idols
- Household plaster-of-Paris idols reportedly decreased significantly.
- Loudspeaker deadline
- The applicable rules provide for a 10 p.m. deadline.
- Dolby systems
- Dolby systems are completely banned in Maharashtra, according to the MPCB chairman.
- Air-quality monitoring
- Construction sites are required to display AQI information connected to local-body servers.
- Sustainability advice
- Residents are urged to choose clay idols and avoid plastic flowers and non-sustainable decorations.