AMID a controversy surrounding a cycle track along the periphery of the Powai lake, an environmental activist has now accused the BMC of dumping Ganpati idols in the water body. Stalin D of non-profit Vanashakti has written to the state’s principal secretary-environment, member-secretary of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, BMC chief and member-secretary of Central Pollution Control Board, alleging damage to the important lake.

“This is to highlight blatant violations of the water pollution control laws by MCGM. While the corporation has made arrangements to create sections in water bodies for being used for the purpose of Lord Ganesh idols during Ganeshotsav, we are convinced that this is nothing but tokenism,” reads Stalin’s letter. He said authorities should start desilting the lake the very next day after immersion to check water pollution as many idols are made of plaster of Paris (PoP). “Ideally, Powai lake should have been cleaned by removing the remnants of the idols. What we saw today was shocking to say the least,” Stalin said in his letter.