CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The Greater Chennai Corporation has decided to divert 700 Vinayaka idols from two southern Chennai immersion points to alternative locations as part of revised arrangements for Vinayagar Chaturthi. Under the plan, 450 idols earlier proposed for immersion at Palavakkam will be diverted to Kovalam, while 250 idols from Pattinapakkam will be taken to Ennore.
The changes follow directions from the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal concerning idol immersion at coastal locations. The tribunal has said that the required clearance from the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority is mandatory for immersion at coastal sites covered by applicable coastal regulations.
The Chennai civic authorities had cited traffic management, crowd control, police deployment and other logistical challenges associated with shifting large numbers of idols to alternative locations. The State government also informed the tribunal that the revised arrangements would reduce the number of idols reaching Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai.
The NGT has also sought compliance with earlier directions and environmental guidelines concerning idol immersion. The State has assured the tribunal that, from next year, idols will not be immersed at Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai and that authorities will plan immersion arrangements well in advance.
The developments are part of efforts to manage festival crowds while addressing environmental and coastal regulatory requirements during the immersion process.
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