*Hyderabad, September 10, 2024*: The immersion of Lord Vinayaka (Ganesha) idols in Hussainsagar Lake has been banned, with flex banners prominently placed by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Hyderabad Police around the lake. These banners, displayed along the Tank Bund road, declare that idol immersion is prohibited, in line with a previous High Court ruling that bans the immersion of idols made of Plaster of Paris (POP) due to environmental concerns.Iron fences have been erected around Ganesh idols in the vicinity, further reinforcing the prohibition as the city prepares for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. The strict enforcement of these measures signals the authorities’ commitment to upholding the court’s orders.A critical hearing on the Hussainsagar immersion issue is scheduled in the High Court today. The hearing follows a petition filed by Advocate Venumadav, who argued that the High Court’s earlier orders banning the immersion of POP idols had not been fully implemented. In his petition, Venumadav called for the inclusion of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA) as a defendant, citing the agency’s responsibility for the conservation and protection of Hussainsagar Lake.The High Court’s previous ruling emphasized the environmental damage caused by immersing POP idols in water bodies, particularly Hussainsagar, which has faced pollution challenges for years. The petitioner underscored the need for HYDRAA’s active involvement in monitoring and enforcing conservation efforts around the lake.The upcoming High Court hearing will determine the fate of idol immersion practices in Hussainsagar, as authorities and environmental advocates push for sustainable measures to protect Hyderabad’s iconic water body.