CHENNAI: The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has made it mandatory for the authorities concerned to obtain clearance from the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA) before permitting idol immersion at coastal locations as part of Vinayagar Chaturthi festivities. This effectively rules out this year’s idol immersion too at the sites falling under CRZ-IA (ecologically sensitive areas) without such permission.
The order was passed on Thursday, and uploaded on Friday, after the tribunal examined arrangements being made across Tamil Nadu for idol immersion on September 20. The examination was in connection with a case pertaining to concerns over pollution of rivers, sea and other waterbodies caused by idol immersion, and compliance with its earlier directions issued in January 2024.
The bench made it clear that mere participation of TNSCZMA officials in meetings convened by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) would not amount to clearance.
“Clearance from the TNSCZMA is mandatory,” the bench said, noting that the authority was responsible for management and conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems, and development in coastal areas, among others.
The direction has implications for several immersion sites identified by the state in Chennai, including Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai, and other coastal districts. The tribunal said clearance had to be obtained particularly for sites in coastal towns, including those in Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram districts.
GCC’s reports initially listed Pattinapakkam, Tiruvottiyur, Kasimedu and Palavakkam as immersion points, with subsequent arrangements identifying Sreenivasapuram at Pattinapakkam, the fishing harbour at Kasimedu, two locations at Tiruvottiyur, Palkalai Nagar at Neelankarai and Ramakrishna Nagar at Ennore.
The tribunal had already noted that Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai fall within the CRZ-IA area.
The GCC told the tribunal that shifting all idols from Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai would increase travel distance, procession routes, traffic regulation points and police deployment requirements.
As a compromise, 450 idols proposed for immersion at Palavakkam were to be diverted to Kovalam, while 250 idols proposed for Pattinapakkam were to be diverted to Ennore. The GCC sought permission to retain Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai for the current year with restricted numbers.
The tribunal, however, stressed that environmental regulations could not be bypassed on account of administrative or logistical difficulties. It said the state’s affidavit was still awaited and directed that the order be strictly followed for this year’s immersion.
On Friday, the state government in its undertaking filed before the tribunal stated that in future it would begin planning and coordination for idol immersion well in advance – as far as practicable at least six months before the festival. It also assured to consult TNSCZMA, TNPCB, police and other authorities on permissible sites. The tribunal adjourned further hearing to next month.
