Chennai: With National Green Tribunal’s southern bench instructing authorities to stay idol immersion at Foreshore Estate (Pattinapakam) and Neelankarai this Ganesh Chathurthi, authorities are exploring other locations, including artificial ponds, in the city’s southern suburbs.Officials from Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), collectorate and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) met on Saturday after NGT’s directions for authorities to consider splitting the crowd that arrives at Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai to other designated locations — Tiruvottiyur, Ennore and Kasimedu.“The departments are looking for other locations, such as small ponds that were restored in the past year, where the immersion can happen in an eco-friendly way. The next hearing is on Sept 17, when we will get a clearer picture on the locations for immersion,” said a GCC official.Officials who were a part of the meeting said that immersion in ponds and lakes required more planning, where water depth has to be shallow and barricaded. “After immersion, the location has to be desludged and waste accumulated should be removed within 24 hours,” said a TNPCB official.If a temporary waterbody, part of a larger pond or lake, is created for the purpose of immersion, lime, alum or any other equivalent coagulant should be added to prevent solids from settling in the water. Later, when the liners used to create the temporary tank are removed, the colour and turbidity of the remaining water must be checked.Meanwhile, puja organising units in the city said that taking away Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai could result in long travels for those looking to immerse idols exceeding 8ft in the sea. “Other sea immersion points are in north Chennai. This means, people living in Adyar or Myalpore don’t have an alternative and look for lakes instead,” said J Das, member, Ganesh Puja Team, Madipakkam.
