Mumbai: The BMC budget states that the civic body had distributed 611 tonnes of ‘shadu mati’ (clay) free of cost to moortikars to carve eco-friendly Ganesh idols in 2024. It proposes to distribute clay for making Ganesh and Durga idols for free in 2025 as well. The BMC will also launch a special project to properly dispose of the residue that remains at the bottom of lakes after idol immersion.
However, some moortikars say they are not receiving shadu mati from BMC. Clay idol sculptor Akshay Gharat said the few idol makers who do, are receiving it towards the end of Ganeshotsav when it is of no use. “Suddenly, towards the festival, when the authorities announce that PoP idols will not be permitted, buyers make a rush for clay idols. We are unable to meet the demand as well.”
Moortikar Deepak Rane said, “We did receive clay from the BMC but had no space to store it. Moreover, they don’t grant permission to our workshop pandals until a month before the festival. We need permission at least four months in advance so that we can begin to carve in time. Otherwise you can give me 50 sacks of shadu mati but I am barely able to utilise four sacks. Where is the time to carve 50 clay idols within a month? BMC should distribute it in Jan-Feb.”
Naresh Dahibawkar, president, Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, agreed that idol carvers did not receive adequate shadu mati.
Dahibawkar said, “If in 2024, 611 tonnes of clay was given for free to sculptors, it will still not be enough (to meet the demand). Looking ahead to 2025, an increase in this requirement is expected. This is because in 2025, the municipality is expected to celebrate an eco-friendly festival in accordance with SOP from the Central govt dated May 12, 2020, and the order from Bombay High Court dated Aug 30, 2024. If the interim order recently issued by the high court remains in place, nearly 10,000 Ganesh idols for the festival and 2 lakh household idols will need to be made, requiring ample clay.”
