The CEO of Aarey Colony has informed the Bombay High Court (HC) that they won’t grant permission for the immersion of Ganesh idols in water bodies within the colony. Environment NGO Vanashakti had filed a PIL in the HC requesting directions to the BMC to stop immersion of Ganesh idols in the three water bodies—Chhota Kashmir lake, Ganesh Mandir lake and Kamal lake—in Aarey.

Meanwhile, the HC directed the state government, the BMC and other relevant authorities to ensure environmental safety during the immersion of Ganesh idols across the city. The HC directed that the arrangements made must adhere to the guidelines established by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2020, as well as the directives provided by the Union Environment Ministry. The court also instructed these authorities to submit a comprehensive response to the PIL filed by Vanashakti, inclusive of the actions taken to implement the directives from the Centre.