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Ganesh Chaturthi: Coimbatore district collector chairs review meeting, issues guidelines

Ganesh Chaturthi: Coimbatore district collector chairs review meeting, issues guidelines

Time of India13 hours ago
COIMBATORE: Coimbatore district collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar has chaired a coordination meeting with officials from various departments to review preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations on Aug 27 and to outline safety and environmental guidelines.
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The meeting, held at the district collectorate on Wednesday night, was attended by district superintendent of police K Karthikeyan, corporation commissioner M Sivaguruprabakaran, district revenue officer M Sharmila, Pollachi sub-collector R Ramakrishnasamy, revenue divisional officers and officials from the Hindu religious and charitable endowments department, highways, police and fire rescue services.
The collector directed that all organisers installing Vinayagar idols should obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the jurisdictional assistant commissioner of police (within city limits) or the sub-collector/revenue divisional officer (in rural areas). For idols placed on private property, consent from the landowner is mandatory; for govt land, permission from the respective department and local bodies is required.
Organisers should secure police permission for using loudspeakers, fire department clearance for fire safety arrangements and approval from Tangedco for temporary power connections.
Idols must be made of natural clay and painted only with eco-friendly, non-toxic, water-soluble colours. The use of Plaster of Paris, banned dyes and chemicals prohibited by the
Control Board (TNPCB) is strictly forbidden.
The height of idols should not exceed 10 feet, and they should not be installed near hospitals, educational institutions and other places of worship.
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Cone-shaped loudspeakers are banned; only box-type speakers are permitted. Temporary pandals must not be made of highly flammable materials, and first-aid and emergency medical facilities must be arranged nearby.
Idol processions may be carried on minitrucks or tractors, with the number of participants complying with the
. The use of firecrackers along the route or at immersion sites is banned. Flowers, plastic and other decorative items must be removed before immersion.
The collector also instructed the TNPCB to inspect idol-making units to ensure compliance, while relevant departments were directed to repair damaged procession routes and address low-hanging power lines.
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