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The Supreme Court today allowed the immersion of Ganesh idols made with "Plaster of Paris" (PoP) in the Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad in a plea seeking stay on Telangana High Court's order banning immersion of PoP Ganesh idols in the Hussain Sagar lake.

A bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justice Surya Kant said, "We also know about the problems, earlier there was drinking water and now there is no drinking water," however it said that this was to be the last such opportunity for the state.

The High Court had noted, "High Court cannot permit pollution of water by allowing immersion of PoP idols."

"Government can explore use of inflatable rubber dam walls which were used while carrying out dredging operations earlier in Hussain Sagar by encircling area of immersion for idols," the High Court added.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the state submitted, "We have already made preparation for the celebration, from the next year we'll take steps to comply with the order."

However, Justice Ramana asked as to what would happen if the court allowed this to happen every year, and what was the purpose of investing so much money in the beautification of a lake.

Mehta informed the court about the planned stating, "Symbolically we'll let them submerge the idols and soon after that cranes will be there to take them out and transport idols to the solid disposal site for recycling."

The same was opposed by the counsel appearing for the respondent, however, Justice Ramana said, "We understand that but they have said that from next year they will not do it, this will be the last opportunity for them."

The court has directed the state to file an affidavit in view of the above undertaking and said that we'll allow this as a last chance to use this pond for immersion, while further directing the state to file a compliance report before the High Court.

Case Title: Lokesh Kumar Vs. Mamidi Venumadhav and Ors.