Vasai-Virar | September 8, 2026
Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation has instructed Ganesh idol manufacturers and sellers to mark every plaster of Paris (POP) idol with a clearly visible red circle, following directions issued by Maharashtra’s Environment and Climate Change Department. The civic body has also asked businesses to maintain a register of idol sales and purchases.
The directive is intended to make it easier to distinguish POP idols from those made of shadu clay, particularly during the Ganesh festival. According to the instructions reported by Loksatta, the red circular mark must be applied with oil paint on the rear side of every POP idol so that it is clearly visible.
The rules apply to commercial manufacturers and sellers of POP idols in Vasai-Virar. The municipal corporation said it had already briefed local idol makers and vendors about the government’s guidelines at a meeting held at its headquarters. The administration urged participants to follow the marking and record-keeping requirements strictly.
The civic instructions refer to Maharashtra government resolutions dated August 1, 2025, and September 1, 2026. Under the directions described in the report, every POP idol must carry the red mark, while transactions involving the idols must be recorded in a special register. The report does not specify the format of the register or the penalty for non-compliance.
The move comes as the number of private and public Ganesh idols in Vasai-Virar has increased over the past several years. The municipal corporation said a large proportion of these idols are made from POP. The material has been a focus of environmental regulation because of concerns about its identification and handling during and after immersion.
The red marking is designed to provide a visible distinction between POP and shadu clay idols at the point of sale and during civic monitoring. The municipal corporation’s instructions place the immediate compliance responsibility on manufacturers and sellers, who must mark the idols and maintain transaction records.
Vasai-Virar observes Ganeshotsav on a large scale each year, with idols installed in homes and public spaces across the city. The latest instructions give local vendors and manufacturers a specific identification requirement before the festival period. The corporation has asked them to begin following the directions and to ensure that each relevant entry is recorded in the register.
