Patna Durga Puja Guidelines: Ban On Toxic Idols, Strict Safety Plan For Ravan Vadh At Gandhi Maidan

Ahead of the Durga Puja and Dussehra festivities, the Patna district administration is taking firm steps to protect public health and ensure safety. District Magistrate Dr Thyagarajan SM has issued a series of directives for all puja committees and officials, focusing on eco-friendly idols and robust crowd management.

Eco-Friendly Idol Guidelines

To prevent long-term health hazards caused by pollution, all puja committees must adhere to guidelines from the State Pollution Control Board.

Permitted Materials: Idols must be made from natural and biodegradable materials only, such as traditional clay, bamboo, and straw. Only water-soluble, non-toxic natural colors are allowed.

Prohibited Materials: The use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) and synthetic, chemical-based paints is strictly banned. These paints often contain toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic.

Mandatory Declaration: Committees must submit a formal declaration to the District Magistrate confirming their use of eco-friendly materials.

Idol Immersion: Immersion of idols in any flowing water body, such as rivers, is prohibited. Immersions must take place only in designated artificial ponds.

The administration highlighted that heavy metals in synthetic paints can dissolve in water sources, posing long-term risks to the kidneys, lungs, and nervous system, especially for children and pregnant women. Plaster of Paris harms aquatic life by reducing oxygen levels in the water.

Safety Plan For RavanVadh At Gandhi Maidan

For the RavanVadh program on October 2, extensive measures will be in place to manage the large crowds at Gandhi Maidan.

Entry and Exit: All 13 gates of the ground will remain open throughout the event to ensure smooth entry and exit. The gates will be greased and reinforced.

Official Presence: Assigned magistrates and police officials must remain on-site after the event until the grounds are completely cleared of people.

Emergency Preparedness: Senior officials will conduct a comprehensive mock drill with the SDRF, covering crowd control, traffic management, security and medical response.

Medical Plan: The Civil Surgeon will implement an emergency medical plan, coordinating with all major hospitals to ensure their readiness for any situation.

Adverse Health Effects Of Heavy Metals In Paints

Heavy metals used in synthetic paints pose significant long-term health risks. For instance, lead, found in green and yellow pigments, adversely affects the brain, nervous system, kidneys, and blood. Similarly, manganese (brown-purple) and mercury (green) also harm the nervous system and brain.

Several metals target the respiratory system. Chromium (purple), arsenic (red-brown), mercury, cobalt (amber), antimony (orange, yellow, grey), and manganese can all cause damage to the lungs, leading to issues like chest pain and irritation.

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The kidneys and liver are also vulnerable. Lead, chromium, and arsenic are all known to cause damage to these vital organs. Other metals affect different parts of the body: copper (blue) can lead to intestinal and blood-related problems, while zinc (gold, white) and antimony can cause digestive issues. Strontium, used in red pigments, is known to harm the bones, teeth and kidneys.

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