Chennai Corporation to divert 700 Vinayaka idols for immersion from Pattinapakkam, Palavakkam to Ennore, Kovalam

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The civic body said it will coordinate with the Police Department and other agencies for traffic management, prevention of overcrowding, safe immersion, and post-immersion removal of idol debris and solid waste. File | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has decided to divert around 700 Vinayaka idols proposed to be immersed at Pattinapakkam and Palavakkam to Ennore and Kovalam, respectively, following concerns over the environmental suitability of the immersion locations.

According to the GCC’s report placed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), 450 idols proposed for immersion at Palavakkam will be diverted to the Kovalam immersion site, while 250 idols proposed for Pattinapakkam will be diverted to Ennore. The decision followed discussions on the practical implications of excluding Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai, which the NGT had observed fall within the CRZ-I area.

The GCC had initially identified Pattinapakkam, Thiruvottiyur, Kasimedu, and Palavakkam as immersion locations in Chennai. Following concerns raised before the Tribunal that some of the identified locations could fall within the CRZ-prohibited area, the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA) was asked to examine the issue and identify alternative locations.

The GCC said diverting idols from southern and central parts of the city to northern locations could pose practical difficulties in managing procession routes, vehicle movement, traffic, police deployment, public safety, and emergency access. It also said completely excluding the two locations could lead to law-and-order difficulties.

The civic body will coordinate with the Police Department and other agencies for traffic management, prevention of overcrowding, safe immersion, and post-immersion removal of idol debris and solid waste.

The NGT, meanwhile, has directed strict compliance with the CPCB guidelines and its earlier orders, as well as those of the Supreme Court and Madras High Court. It also observed that coastal immersion sites require CRZ clearance from the TNSCZMA and that the mere participation of TNSCZMA officials in meetings cannot be treated as such clearance.

The NGT has directed the State government to file an affidavit assuring compliance with these directions during next year’s Vinayaka Chaturthi. The affidavit was not filed on Thursday and the State sought time to file it on Friday. The NGT ordered that its directions be strictly followed during this year’s immersion as well.

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