Overview

• The Bombay High Court ruled that Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols up to six feet must be immersed in artificial water bodies statewide starting this festival season.
• Idols taller than six feet may be immersed in the sea, rivers, or lakes until March 2026 provided local bodies ensure next-day cleanup and strict pollution safeguards.
• A bench led by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne asked the state to review extending the artificial tank requirement to idols up to seven or eight feet tall.
• The court directed Maharashtra to convene an expert committee to develop eco-friendly methods for dissolution, recycling, and reuse of PoP idol material.
• The interim framework applies to all festivals requiring idol immersion, from Ganesh Chaturthi to Navratri, until its March 2026 expiry.