Villupuram issues 10-foot cap on Vinayaka Chaturthi idols
Villupuram Collector caps Vinayaka Chaturthi idols at 10 feet, mandates NOCs, clay idols, and fire safety measures.
The Villupuram district administration has set a height limit of 10 feet from ground level for Vinayaka Chaturthi idols, as announced by Collector Sheik Abdul Rahman during a meeting at the Collectorate on Tuesday.
Organisers must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the respective tahsildar before installation. For idols placed on private land, the NOC must come from the landowner; for poromboke land, clearance is required from the concerned department or local body.
Additional approvals include a police NOC for using public address systems, a fire safety certificate from the Fire and Rescue Services, and an acknowledgement from Tangedco regarding power supply arrangements.
The Collector mandated that idols be made of clay, with a complete ban on plaster of paris and other chemical substances. Only water-soluble paints are permitted; chemical paints are disallowed. Idols cannot be installed near places of worship, hospitals, or educational institutions.
Speaker regulations prohibit cone-type devices, allowing only box-type speakers. Organisers must ensure adequate lighting, and fire services personnel will verify fire prevention measures. Before immersion, all flowers, cloths, decorative items, and plastic materials must be removed from the idol.