Ahead of the Ganesh festival, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut has issued a set of guidelines regulating Ganesh idol height, immersion and procession routes. The order will remain in force from August 8 to October 6.
According to the notification, clay Ganesh idols, including the pedestal, must not exceed 9 feet in height, while Plaster of Paris (POP) idols are restricted to a maximum height of 5 feet.
The order also prohibits the immersion of POP idols in rivers, lakes or any other natural water bodies. Both clay and POP idols must be immersed only in artificial ponds created by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).
The guidelines further ban the use of toxic chemical paints, religiously offensive symbols on idols, unauthorised procession routes and immersion at locations other than those mentioned in official permissions.
Idol makers have also been directed to maintain cleanliness around their workshops and ensure that damaged idols are not discarded in public places. Police warned that violators will face action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).