‘What did you do in the past year?’ NGT asks Tamil Nadu govt. over Vinayaka idol immersion preparedness

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The NGT had previously directed the authorities to reconsider Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai after noting that the two locations fall within CRZ-I areas and may therefore not be permissible for immersion | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday (September 17, 2026) yet again questioned the Tamil Nadu government about its preparedness for the Vinayaka Chathurthi festival, pointing out that the State had a full year to act on the directions on idol immersion.

The bench on Wednesday (September 16) directed the State to file an affidavit ensuring that the guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), along with earlier orders of the Supreme Court, Madras High Court, and the NGT, would be followed at least during next year’s Vinayaka Chaturthi festival. The affidavit was not filed on Thursday, and the State sought another day’s time.

Questioning the request, Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana observed that the State had had a full year between the previous and current festivals to prepare. “What was the action taken by the government, whichever department may be concerned?”

The bench said the affidavit should not merely contain an undertaking but set out the measures to be taken going forward to ensure compliance with the regulations and the orders passed by the courts and the Tribunal.

During its earlier hearings this month, the bench also raised concerns over the proposed immersion locations in Chennai. It had directed the authorities to reconsider Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai after noting that the two locations fall within CRZ-I areas and may therefore not be permissible for immersion.

The counsel representing the State on Thursday said that some revised arrangements had been made for the ongoing festival, including diverting idols from some venues to identified locations in North Chennai. However, he said closing immersion venues in South Chennai would lead to difficulties in traffic management and law and order issues.

The revised arrangements had been made after considering the issue from the traffic-management perspective, he submitted, adding that the difficulties faced this year could be mitigated through better planning and streamlining from next year, and sought one day to file the affidavit.

The bench, however, said the State had been aware of the directions and the need for advance preparations. The matter will be heard on Friday (September 18).

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