Around 1,60,000 home idols are immersed in the sea each year and the number is expected to increase by another 20,000 idols this year. The mayor had sparked off controversy after she spoke in favour of the environment and suggested that Ganpati idols should not be immersed in the sea as Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols are hard to dissolve and result in marine pollution.

She had also recommended that the height of idols from mandals be reduced and that they be made of natural soil. Despite protests from various quarters for “hurting the religious sentiments of people” by telling them to take a green turn, Raul has been silently going ahead with her plans.

She now hopes that by next year, even the sarvajanik mandals too would take the eco-friendly route by reducing the idol height, and more and more households take the green route. “On Thursday, around 278 idols came to my place for immersion. This figure itself shows that people are supporting the move. I am against hurting anyone’s religious sentiments; all I want is a hygienic and environmentally safe way to celebrate the festival.”