SHILLONG: The Central Puja Committee (CPC) said on Wednesday its idol makers started using eco-friendly materials even before the State Government’s advisory on harmful materials.
Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, CPC president Naba Bhattacharjee said, “Our idol makers are not using thermocol or plaster of Paris. Instead, they are using rick husk.”
Bhattacharjee said the Committee employs its men to clear River Wahumkhrah after the immersion. “We request the department concerned to come and take water sample from the immersion ghat after the festival,” he added.
The CPC president, however, said the Government should also be an active participant in cleaning the river as other effluents also pollute the Wahumkhrah.
CPC is making elaborate arrangement for Durga puja beginning from October 7-11. There will be 166 pandals, including 92 in Khasi Hills and 54 in Garo Hills, this year.
There will be 67 community pujas in Greater Shillong and five private.
On security measures, Bhattacharjee said after several meetings with the district administration it was decided that CCTV cameras would be installed in all pandals for round-the-clock vigil.
The Puja Committee will also urge Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation to discontinue the daily load-shedding on the four days of Durga Puja.
The Committee’s annual all-faith prayer will be held on Octover 4 at MJ Tower on MG Road. The Governor and the chief justice will be among the guests. The SK Das Memorial Drum Beat Competition (Traditional) and the Prasad Gupta Memorial Drum beat Competition (Indigenous) will be held on October 10 at the BSNL Employees’ pandal in Rynjah.
